[Corporation] Phoenix Corporation

[TripleKings]

Transmission/Conversation

II=Sending Transmission: >>>Endurance=II
greetings. we have received the control...thing..?
Construction vessels. got it.
{Samuel taps on his glasses a few times. he seems to be dialing on his glasses...}
yes, Alexander?
yes.
...I apologize.
...Gray and company need a construction vessel.
...Ferra?
their vessel is small. call a LathingBird instead.
...what do you mean?
...ah. I apologize.
...yea- no! Alex you-
{laughter could be heard through the glasses, right before Samuel hangs up. Hysoka seems to have heard the conversation and starts getting all giggly.}
...what was that?
{he said, his eyes glowing.}
n-nothing..!
...mmhmm...
{he said, eyes not glowing anymore.}


...session..?
oh...
...
...handling... emotions..?
...
...I apologize.. I am partially to blame there...
there was... you weren-
I accidentally let out... problematic thoughts... on Gray and, in return, he lashed out on me...
...
...
...(transmission is still going...)
...oh...
...perhaps... a session could be helpful to me...
...why would yo-
i just... I  feel unstable... erratic...
my sealed up emotions are finally blowing up on me... taking over my logical thinking...
and i hate it... so much...
.... you might wanna talk to them about that when we- (DEAR LORD, TRANSMISSION IS STILL GOING!)
...are you free today, Hysoka?
...yes.
good. then we can go there right now.
Excuse me, wh-
{Before Hysoka could even finish, Samuel reaches for a button in his console.}
II=End of Transmission.=II
...
...
{Samuel and Hysoka could be seen teleporting into the Endurance.}
SAMUEL! RESPECT MY FRE-
{his anger fades away, as he saw around the inside of the ship}
-Eee... tiime..! ...an engineering BEAUTY this ship is!
Greetings. sorry for the abrupt entrance.
Now... about our plans with the ships...
IDEA! IDEA!
{he said, his right, robotic eye shinning a yellow exclamation mark.}
...? whats your idea?
the TPC has the merging technologies...
it can make ships merge...
....mmhmm..?
WHAT IF....
these creations of ours...
were to be able to merge as a main mechanism..?!
hmm... possible. would be hard to program, but i will take on that chall-
you mentioned evolving, right?
....mmhmm..?
...what if they learn ways to merge..?
{he said, his ussually white coloured eye turning green as he spoke.}
...it could work. but for no-
{they suddenly realize that they were basically speaking to themselves, so their heads turn to Gray.}
....my apologies... what are your thoughts about this project..?
and... is... Ahkai... available..?

[close]

[Gray and Ahkai watch the transmission. They get to the end, and the bridge door opens. Hysoka and Samuel have just teleported outside the main bridge.]
Gray: Hysoka, Samuel! Glad you could make it.
Ahkai: Hello, to both of you.
Gray: Thank you, Hysoka. It was hastily put together, so I'm glad it looks decent. You know, Samuel, you weren't "partially to blame" for me yelling at you. I told you back in the Capital, that was all on me.
Ahkai: Speaking of high emotions, are you sure you want to go through the therapy? ...Are you sure you are able to? I am by no means a strong psionic, so the process like the one Gray and I have started requires a great deal of trust, both of the conscious and subconscious sort.
Gray: I really don't like talking about it.
Ahkai: You know you will have to eventually.
Gray: Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be fine once it's done and over with.
Ahkai: We have gotten off track. Hysoka, the fleet design you and Samuel started designing... It's a push on the boundaries of what is possible. I say let us see how far we can get.
Gray: My sentiments exactly.
[Gray listens to the ideas about merging being a main function.]
Gray: Self-sufficient, merging ships... That would probably be difficult, unless they have matter couplers built into their hull. Sentience shouldn't be a problem. Not only do you have someone capable of working on it, but we do too.
[Gray turns.]
Gray: Hey, Jade. You still know how to code computers, right?
Jade: Leah, take over my station for me please.
[Jade walks over.]
Jade: Yeah, it's not like I'd forget. Why do you ask?
Gray: We've got a task ahead of us during which your skills might prove useful. Hysoka and Samuel have an artificial consciousness already made, but they need to give it the ability to control a ship.
Jade: Oh, I can do that! It's just a matter of creating drivers and specialized kernels that the AI can recognize and act through.
Ahkai: Samuel, I am available, but you need to be sure beyond any doubt at all that you want to do this. It works something like this:

Ahkai explains how she's helping Gray. WARNING: LONG.

The procedure is incredibly complex.
I need Gray's complete trust whenever I help him. I cannot get to his memories without full subconscious trust. When helping Gray, I create a connection between our subconscious minds, allowing me to see and share his memories. I find the memories that are creating his negative emotions, and make them stronger, making them more prominent. His conscious mind has no choice but to focus on them, and this draws a strong emotional response. I send the memories into a "mind-scape" that he and I share, accessible through our connection. His conscious mind, still focused on those memories, transfers with them. I enter the shared mind-scape as well. We both manifest mental projections to interact within that space.
I make a connection to Gray's conscious mind, allowing my conscious mind to communicate with his. We then go back through the memory together, but because it's already a memory, it happens very quickly for people on the outside, much faster than how it actually happened. To people in the connection, though, it feels like it happens how it did originally. Our connection allows our minds to partly mesh, and I can directly comfort him, without physical sensory filters such as hearing or touch. Our minds meshing requires conscious trust as well.
The mesh allows me to hear his thoughts and emotions, and he can hear mine. I help him through the memories, constantly keeping him as calm as I can. I believe the mesh tricks the "middle" mind, the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, into believing that I'm his subconscious mind.
I go through the problematic memories one at a time, drawing them out one at a time to take care of them. It's a long process, and sometimes they require more than one attempt. Each of Gray's memories will require multiple long sessions.

[close]

Gray: Uh...
Ahkai: ...Did I start rambling?
Gray: ...
Jade: Yes.
Ahkai: I apologize, it is a habit of mine I am attempting to break...
Gray: I said I didn't like it being talked about...
Ahkai: What other way could I have explained it?
Gray: How about using another Kroan as an example?
Ahkai: You mean the ones that are dead?
Gray: Watch it. I'm affected by their deaths as well. You've been in my head, you know I'm not lying.

[Gray turns back to Samuel and Hysoka.]
Gray: Anyway... Merging ships could be useful, but it may get out of hand. What happens if a ship gets to an unreasonable size? Should we have a safeguard of some sort, like making larger ships unstable compared to smaller ones?

Leah: A construction ship has arrived.
Gray: Good, get them to weld the modified Higgs Crystals into place.
Leah: No problem.
[To the Lathingbird]
Leah: Hello, construction vessel. This is Leah, from the Endurance. The materials required should already be out there, in position. All we need you to do is weld the materials into place. Be careful, you're working near a singularity containment unit. None of us would want that to rupture.

[theachevah]

what happened upon arrival...

Transmission/Conversation

II=Sending Transmission: >>>Endurance=II
greetings. we have received the control...thing..?
Construction vessels. got it.
{Samuel taps on his glasses a few times. he seems to be dialing on his glasses...}
yes, Alexander?
yes.
...I apologize.
...Gray and company need a construction vessel.
...Ferra?
their vessel is small. call a LathingBird instead.
...what do you mean?
...ah. I apologize.
...yea- no! Alex you-
{laughter could be heard through the glasses, right before Samuel hangs up. Hysoka seems to have heard the conversation and starts getting all giggly.}
...what was that?
{he said, his eyes glowing.}
n-nothing..!
...mmhmm...
{he said, eyes not glowing anymore.}


...session..?
oh...
...
...handling... emotions..?
...
...I apologize.. I am partially to blame there...
there was... you weren-
I accidentally let out... problematic thoughts... on Gray and, in return, he lashed out on me...
...
...
...(transmission is still going...)
...oh...
...perhaps... a session could be helpful to me...
...why would yo-
i just... I  feel unstable... erratic...
my sealed up emotions are finally blowing up on me... taking over my logical thinking...
and i hate it... so much...
.... you might wanna talk to them about that when we- (DEAR LORD, TRANSMISSION IS STILL GOING!)
...are you free today, Hysoka?
...yes.
good. then we can go there right now.
Excuse me, wh-
{Before Hysoka could even finish, Samuel reaches for a button in his console.}
II=End of Transmission.=II
...
...
{Samuel and Hysoka could be seen teleporting into the Endurance.}
SAMUEL! RESPECT MY FRE-
{his anger fades away, as he saw around the inside of the ship}
-Eee... tiime..! ...an engineering BEAUTY this ship is!
Greetings. sorry for the abrupt entrance.
Now... about our plans with the ships...
IDEA! IDEA!
{he said, his right, robotic eye shinning a yellow exclamation mark.}
...? whats your idea?
the TPC has the merging technologies...
it can make ships merge...
....mmhmm..?
WHAT IF....
these creations of ours...
were to be able to merge as a main mechanism..?!
hmm... possible. would be hard to program, but i will take on that chall-
you mentioned evolving, right?
....mmhmm..?
...what if they learn ways to merge..?
{he said, his ussually white coloured eye turning green as he spoke.}
...it could work. but for no-
{they suddenly realize that they were basically speaking to themselves, so their heads turn to Gray.}
....my apologies... what are your thoughts about this project..?
and... is... Ahkai... available..?

[close]

[Gray and Ahkai watch the transmission. They get to the end, and the bridge door opens. Hysoka and Samuel have just teleported outside the main bridge.]
Gray: Hysoka, Samuel! Glad you could make it.
Ahkai: Hello, to both of you.
Gray: Thank you, Hysoka. It was hastily put together, so I'm glad it looks decent. You know, Samuel, you weren't "partially to blame" for me yelling at you. I told you back in the Capital, that was all on me.
Ahkai: Speaking of high emotions, are you sure you want to go through the therapy? ...Are you sure you are able to? I am by no means a strong psionic, so the process like the one Gray and I have started requires a great deal of trust, both of the conscious and subconscious sort.
Gray: I really don't like talking about it.
Ahkai: You know you will have to eventually.
Gray: Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be fine once it's done and over with.
Ahkai: We have gotten off track. Hysoka, the fleet design you and Samuel started designing... It's a push on the boundaries of what is possible. I say let us see how far we can get.
Gray: My sentiments exactly.
[Gray listens to the ideas about merging being a main function.]
Gray: Self-sufficient, merging ships... That would probably be difficult, unless they have matter couplers built into their hull. Sentience shouldn't be a problem. Not only do you have someone capable of working on it, but we do too.
[Gray turns.]
Gray: Hey, Jade. You still know how to code computers, right?
Jade: Leah, take over my station for me please.
[Jade walks over.]
Jade: Yeah, it's not like I'd forget. Why do you ask?
Gray: We've got a task ahead of us during which your skills might prove useful. Hysoka and Samuel have an artificial consciousness already made, but they need to give it the ability to control a ship.
Jade: Oh, I can do that! It's just a matter of creating drivers and specialized kernels that the AI can recognize and act through.
Ahkai: Samuel, I am available, but you need to be sure beyond any doubt at all that you want to do this. It works something like this:

Ahkai explains how she's helping Gray. WARNING: LONG.

The procedure is incredibly complex.
I need Gray's complete trust whenever I help him. I cannot get to his memories without full subconscious trust. When helping Gray, I create a connection between our subconscious minds, allowing me to see and share his memories. I find the memories that are creating his negative emotions, and make them stronger, making them more prominent. His conscious mind has no choice but to focus on them, and this draws a strong emotional response. I send the memories into a "mind-scape" that he and I share, accessible through our connection. His conscious mind, still focused on those memories, transfers with them. I enter the shared mind-scape as well. We both manifest mental projections to interact within that space.
I make a connection to Gray's conscious mind, allowing my conscious mind to communicate with his. We then go back through the memory together, but because it's already a memory, it happens very quickly for people on the outside, much faster than how it actually happened. To people in the connection, though, it feels like it happens how it did originally. Our connection allows our minds to partly mesh, and I can directly comfort him, without physical sensory filters such as hearing or touch. Our minds meshing requires conscious trust as well.
The mesh allows me to hear his thoughts and emotions, and he can hear mine. I help him through the memories, constantly keeping him as calm as I can. I believe the mesh tricks the "middle" mind, the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, into believing that I'm his subconscious mind.
I go through the problematic memories one at a time, drawing them out one at a time to take care of them. It's a long process, and sometimes they require more than one attempt. Each of Gray's memories will require multiple long sessions.

[close]

Gray: Uh...
Ahkai: ...Did I start rambling?
Gray: ...
Jade: Yes.
Ahkai: I apologize, it is a habit of mine I am attempting to break...
Gray: I said I didn't like it being talked about...
Ahkai: What other way could I have explained it?
Gray: How about using another Kroan as an example?
Ahkai: You mean the ones that are dead?
Gray: Watch it. I'm affected by their deaths as well. You've been in my head, you know I'm not lying.

[Gray turns back to Samuel and Hysoka.]
Gray: Anyway... Merging ships could be useful, but it may get out of hand. What happens if a ship gets to an unreasonable size? Should we have a safeguard of some sort, like making larger ships unstable compared to smaller ones?

Leah: A construction ship has arrived.
Gray: Good, get them to weld the modified Higgs Crystals into place.
Leah: No problem.
[To the Lathingbird]
Leah: Hello, construction vessel. This is Leah, from the Endurance. The materials required should already be out there, in position. All we need you to do is weld the materials into place. Be careful, you're working near a singularity containment unit. None of us would want that to rupture.

[close]

aftermath.

Even if it was on you, i still feel...responsible...
hey, cheer up, Sam! it-
i just do... ...my emotions are making me irrational...
...you couldn-
lets just stop this small conversation, ok?
...ok.


trust...
I mightn't be able to undergo that therapy...
...why? you dont trus-
I dont trust even myself right now, hysoka...
...is it... because of-
I feel like an alien to my own-
you arent! stop saying that, Samuel!
...you dont under-
YOU DONT UNDERSTAND!
{Hysoka gets tired of Samuel saying that he is the alien of "his own species". Hysoka's robotic eye turns red.}
how its like being distrusted... for the fact that i was captured, controled, repurposed, tortured... as a hydraxil worker? for something that is completely out of my control?! much less remember how it all started?! who was i before everything i knew was being part of the collective, following orders, nearly mindlessly?!
HOW IT FEELS THAT EVERYONE YOU SEE AROUND YOU LOOK AT YOU IN DISGUST?! NEARLY BEING KILLED FOR A MISUNDERSTANDING?!
at least you havent been bullied for the entiret-
I DO GET BULLIED, THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME, SAMUEL.
{Hysoka starts breathing heavily. his eye lighting up in a crosshair-like formation.}
...
...look, lets just ignore that that ever happened...
...I'm sorry you guys had to see that happen.



...lets just drop the idea of the therapy entirely...
....



oh, I... I'd like to... work alone... with... with th-
you need all the help you can have reprogramming the copied consciousnesses to fit to the ships, no? let Jade help.
...seems logical to do so. but...
let Jade help... please, Samuel. whatever happened in the past mustn't haunt you now.
...*sigh*... fine.


{Samuel was seen somewhat uneasy as they were talking about Kroans and deaths.}


hmm... a safeguard..? if the ships get too big..? seems logical. perhaps making it so that big ships... unwantedly create energy signatures..?

hmm... since ship-template-fixator toggling and combining is my specialty, i can help with that.


{meanwhile, with the construction vessel.}
{It was not a LathingBird, but rather Ferra on their newly upgraded vessel.}
Ferra: hello!
Ferra: I see the materials.
Ferra: weld them. got it.
Ferra: singularit- woah ok... im gonna be super duper extra careful...

[close]

[TripleKings]

previous

what happened upon arrival...

Transmission/Conversation

II=Sending Transmission: >>>Endurance=II
greetings. we have received the control...thing..?
Construction vessels. got it.
{Samuel taps on his glasses a few times. he seems to be dialing on his glasses...}
yes, Alexander?
yes.
...I apologize.
...Gray and company need a construction vessel.
...Ferra?
their vessel is small. call a LathingBird instead.
...what do you mean?
...ah. I apologize.
...yea- no! Alex you-
{laughter could be heard through the glasses, right before Samuel hangs up. Hysoka seems to have heard the conversation and starts getting all giggly.}
...what was that?
{he said, his eyes glowing.}
n-nothing..!
...mmhmm...
{he said, eyes not glowing anymore.}


...session..?
oh...
...
...handling... emotions..?
...
...I apologize.. I am partially to blame there...
there was... you weren-
I accidentally let out... problematic thoughts... on Gray and, in return, he lashed out on me...
...
...
...(transmission is still going...)
...oh...
...perhaps... a session could be helpful to me...
...why would yo-
i just... I  feel unstable... erratic...
my sealed up emotions are finally blowing up on me... taking over my logical thinking...
and i hate it... so much...
.... you might wanna talk to them about that when we- (DEAR LORD, TRANSMISSION IS STILL GOING!)
...are you free today, Hysoka?
...yes.
good. then we can go there right now.
Excuse me, wh-
{Before Hysoka could even finish, Samuel reaches for a button in his console.}
II=End of Transmission.=II
...
...
{Samuel and Hysoka could be seen teleporting into the Endurance.}
SAMUEL! RESPECT MY FRE-
{his anger fades away, as he saw around the inside of the ship}
-Eee... tiime..! ...an engineering BEAUTY this ship is!
Greetings. sorry for the abrupt entrance.
Now... about our plans with the ships...
IDEA! IDEA!
{he said, his right, robotic eye shinning a yellow exclamation mark.}
...? whats your idea?
the TPC has the merging technologies...
it can make ships merge...
....mmhmm..?
WHAT IF....
these creations of ours...
were to be able to merge as a main mechanism..?!
hmm... possible. would be hard to program, but i will take on that chall-
you mentioned evolving, right?
....mmhmm..?
...what if they learn ways to merge..?
{he said, his ussually white coloured eye turning green as he spoke.}
...it could work. but for no-
{they suddenly realize that they were basically speaking to themselves, so their heads turn to Gray.}
....my apologies... what are your thoughts about this project..?
and... is... Ahkai... available..?

[close]

[Gray and Ahkai watch the transmission. They get to the end, and the bridge door opens. Hysoka and Samuel have just teleported outside the main bridge.]
Gray: Hysoka, Samuel! Glad you could make it.
Ahkai: Hello, to both of you.
Gray: Thank you, Hysoka. It was hastily put together, so I'm glad it looks decent. You know, Samuel, you weren't "partially to blame" for me yelling at you. I told you back in the Capital, that was all on me.
Ahkai: Speaking of high emotions, are you sure you want to go through the therapy? ...Are you sure you are able to? I am by no means a strong psionic, so the process like the one Gray and I have started requires a great deal of trust, both of the conscious and subconscious sort.
Gray: I really don't like talking about it.
Ahkai: You know you will have to eventually.
Gray: Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be fine once it's done and over with.
Ahkai: We have gotten off track. Hysoka, the fleet design you and Samuel started designing... It's a push on the boundaries of what is possible. I say let us see how far we can get.
Gray: My sentiments exactly.
[Gray listens to the ideas about merging being a main function.]
Gray: Self-sufficient, merging ships... That would probably be difficult, unless they have matter couplers built into their hull. Sentience shouldn't be a problem. Not only do you have someone capable of working on it, but we do too.
[Gray turns.]
Gray: Hey, Jade. You still know how to code computers, right?
Jade: Leah, take over my station for me please.
[Jade walks over.]
Jade: Yeah, it's not like I'd forget. Why do you ask?
Gray: We've got a task ahead of us during which your skills might prove useful. Hysoka and Samuel have an artificial consciousness already made, but they need to give it the ability to control a ship.
Jade: Oh, I can do that! It's just a matter of creating drivers and specialized kernels that the AI can recognize and act through.
Ahkai: Samuel, I am available, but you need to be sure beyond any doubt at all that you want to do this. It works something like this:

Ahkai explains how she's helping Gray. WARNING: LONG.

The procedure is incredibly complex.
I need Gray's complete trust whenever I help him. I cannot get to his memories without full subconscious trust. When helping Gray, I create a connection between our subconscious minds, allowing me to see and share his memories. I find the memories that are creating his negative emotions, and make them stronger, making them more prominent. His conscious mind has no choice but to focus on them, and this draws a strong emotional response. I send the memories into a "mind-scape" that he and I share, accessible through our connection. His conscious mind, still focused on those memories, transfers with them. I enter the shared mind-scape as well. We both manifest mental projections to interact within that space.
I make a connection to Gray's conscious mind, allowing my conscious mind to communicate with his. We then go back through the memory together, but because it's already a memory, it happens very quickly for people on the outside, much faster than how it actually happened. To people in the connection, though, it feels like it happens how it did originally. Our connection allows our minds to partly mesh, and I can directly comfort him, without physical sensory filters such as hearing or touch. Our minds meshing requires conscious trust as well.
The mesh allows me to hear his thoughts and emotions, and he can hear mine. I help him through the memories, constantly keeping him as calm as I can. I believe the mesh tricks the "middle" mind, the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, into believing that I'm his subconscious mind.
I go through the problematic memories one at a time, drawing them out one at a time to take care of them. It's a long process, and sometimes they require more than one attempt. Each of Gray's memories will require multiple long sessions.

[close]

Gray: Uh...
Ahkai: ...Did I start rambling?
Gray: ...
Jade: Yes.
Ahkai: I apologize, it is a habit of mine I am attempting to break...
Gray: I said I didn't like it being talked about...
Ahkai: What other way could I have explained it?
Gray: How about using another Kroan as an example?
Ahkai: You mean the ones that are dead?
Gray: Watch it. I'm affected by their deaths as well. You've been in my head, you know I'm not lying.

[Gray turns back to Samuel and Hysoka.]
Gray: Anyway... Merging ships could be useful, but it may get out of hand. What happens if a ship gets to an unreasonable size? Should we have a safeguard of some sort, like making larger ships unstable compared to smaller ones?

Leah: A construction ship has arrived.
Gray: Good, get them to weld the modified Higgs Crystals into place.
Leah: No problem.
[To the Lathingbird]
Leah: Hello, construction vessel. This is Leah, from the Endurance. The materials required should already be out there, in position. All we need you to do is weld the materials into place. Be careful, you're working near a singularity containment unit. None of us would want that to rupture.

[close]

aftermath.

Even if it was on you, i still feel...responsible...
hey, cheer up, Sam! it-
i just do... ...my emotions are making me irrational...
...you couldn-
lets just stop this small conversation, ok?
...ok.


trust...
I mightn't be able to undergo that therapy...
...why? you dont trus-
I dont trust even myself right now, hysoka...
...is it... because of-
I feel like an alien to my own-
you arent! stop saying that, Samuel!
...you dont under-
YOU DONT UNDERSTAND!
{Hysoka gets tired of Samuel saying that he is the alien of "his own species". Hysoka's robotic eye turns red.}
how its like being distrusted... for the fact that i was captured, controled, repurposed, tortured... as a hydraxil worker? for something that is completely out of my control?! much less remember how it all started?! who was i before everything i knew was being part of the collective, following orders, nearly mindlessly?!
HOW IT FEELS THAT EVERYONE YOU SEE AROUND YOU LOOK AT YOU IN DISGUST?! NEARLY BEING KILLED FOR A MISUNDERSTANDING?!
at least you havent been bullied for the entiret-
I DO GET BULLIED, THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME, SAMUEL.
{Hysoka starts breathing heavily. his eye lighting up in a crosshair-like formation.}
...
...look, lets just ignore that that ever happened...
...I'm sorry you guys had to see that happen.



...lets just drop the idea of the therapy entirely...
....



oh, I... I'd like to... work alone... with... with th-
you need all the help you can have reprogramming the copied consciousnesses to fit to the ships, no? let Jade help.
...seems logical to do so. but...
let Jade help... please, Samuel. whatever happened in the past mustn't haunt you now.
...*sigh*... fine.


{Samuel was seen somewhat uneasy as they were talking about Kroans and deaths.}


hmm... a safeguard..? if the ships get too big..? seems logical. perhaps making it so that big ships... unwantedly create energy signatures..?

hmm... since ship-template-fixator toggling and combining is my specialty, i can help with that.


{meanwhile, with the construction vessel.}
{It was not a LathingBird, but rather Ferra on their newly upgraded vessel.}
Ferra: hello!
Ferra: I see the materials.
Ferra: weld them. got it.
Ferra: singularit- woah ok... im gonna be super duper extra careful...

[close]

[close]

Gray: It's fine. I've heard things similar to this before, back on my Earth. Sounds just like the results of genetic engineering and my universe's humanity.
Ahkai: Let us just focus on the reason you two came on board. Jade, try to help them to the best of your ability.
Jade: No problem!
[To Samuel] Jade: So, where are we going to work on it? I can make a mobile workstation, if it's needed.
Ahkai: Before the upgrade finishes, Hysoka, I would like to give you a tour of the Endurance. Would that be okay?
[Gray glances at Ahkai, skeptical of her intentions. Ahkai ignores Gray, and nobody else notices.]
Gray: Okay, well. Leah, how goes the upgrade?
Leah: The upgrade will take just under an hour. It'll take another 30 minutes to spin up the Drive, and another for West and Oliver to make post-startup checks. After that, you can begin...whatever it is you're going to do. I don't understand half the things you say.
Jade: Hehe. Don't worry, I don't understand most of your weapon lingo either.
Leah: Hah. We've all got our talents, I suppose.
Gray: I'll be doing some target practice until the Drive comes back online. If you need me, call me or ask someone in the crew to find me.

[theachevah]

before

previous

what happened upon arrival...

Transmission/Conversation

II=Sending Transmission: >>>Endurance=II
greetings. we have received the control...thing..?
Construction vessels. got it.
{Samuel taps on his glasses a few times. he seems to be dialing on his glasses...}
yes, Alexander?
yes.
...I apologize.
...Gray and company need a construction vessel.
...Ferra?
their vessel is small. call a LathingBird instead.
...what do you mean?
...ah. I apologize.
...yea- no! Alex you-
{laughter could be heard through the glasses, right before Samuel hangs up. Hysoka seems to have heard the conversation and starts getting all giggly.}
...what was that?
{he said, his eyes glowing.}
n-nothing..!
...mmhmm...
{he said, eyes not glowing anymore.}


...session..?
oh...
...
...handling... emotions..?
...
...I apologize.. I am partially to blame there...
there was... you weren-
I accidentally let out... problematic thoughts... on Gray and, in return, he lashed out on me...
...
...
...(transmission is still going...)
...oh...
...perhaps... a session could be helpful to me...
...why would yo-
i just... I  feel unstable... erratic...
my sealed up emotions are finally blowing up on me... taking over my logical thinking...
and i hate it... so much...
.... you might wanna talk to them about that when we- (DEAR LORD, TRANSMISSION IS STILL GOING!)
...are you free today, Hysoka?
...yes.
good. then we can go there right now.
Excuse me, wh-
{Before Hysoka could even finish, Samuel reaches for a button in his console.}
II=End of Transmission.=II
...
...
{Samuel and Hysoka could be seen teleporting into the Endurance.}
SAMUEL! RESPECT MY FRE-
{his anger fades away, as he saw around the inside of the ship}
-Eee... tiime..! ...an engineering BEAUTY this ship is!
Greetings. sorry for the abrupt entrance.
Now... about our plans with the ships...
IDEA! IDEA!
{he said, his right, robotic eye shinning a yellow exclamation mark.}
...? whats your idea?
the TPC has the merging technologies...
it can make ships merge...
....mmhmm..?
WHAT IF....
these creations of ours...
were to be able to merge as a main mechanism..?!
hmm... possible. would be hard to program, but i will take on that chall-
you mentioned evolving, right?
....mmhmm..?
...what if they learn ways to merge..?
{he said, his ussually white coloured eye turning green as he spoke.}
...it could work. but for no-
{they suddenly realize that they were basically speaking to themselves, so their heads turn to Gray.}
....my apologies... what are your thoughts about this project..?
and... is... Ahkai... available..?

[close]

[Gray and Ahkai watch the transmission. They get to the end, and the bridge door opens. Hysoka and Samuel have just teleported outside the main bridge.]
Gray: Hysoka, Samuel! Glad you could make it.
Ahkai: Hello, to both of you.
Gray: Thank you, Hysoka. It was hastily put together, so I'm glad it looks decent. You know, Samuel, you weren't "partially to blame" for me yelling at you. I told you back in the Capital, that was all on me.
Ahkai: Speaking of high emotions, are you sure you want to go through the therapy? ...Are you sure you are able to? I am by no means a strong psionic, so the process like the one Gray and I have started requires a great deal of trust, both of the conscious and subconscious sort.
Gray: I really don't like talking about it.
Ahkai: You know you will have to eventually.
Gray: Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be fine once it's done and over with.
Ahkai: We have gotten off track. Hysoka, the fleet design you and Samuel started designing... It's a push on the boundaries of what is possible. I say let us see how far we can get.
Gray: My sentiments exactly.
[Gray listens to the ideas about merging being a main function.]
Gray: Self-sufficient, merging ships... That would probably be difficult, unless they have matter couplers built into their hull. Sentience shouldn't be a problem. Not only do you have someone capable of working on it, but we do too.
[Gray turns.]
Gray: Hey, Jade. You still know how to code computers, right?
Jade: Leah, take over my station for me please.
[Jade walks over.]
Jade: Yeah, it's not like I'd forget. Why do you ask?
Gray: We've got a task ahead of us during which your skills might prove useful. Hysoka and Samuel have an artificial consciousness already made, but they need to give it the ability to control a ship.
Jade: Oh, I can do that! It's just a matter of creating drivers and specialized kernels that the AI can recognize and act through.
Ahkai: Samuel, I am available, but you need to be sure beyond any doubt at all that you want to do this. It works something like this:

Ahkai explains how she's helping Gray. WARNING: LONG.

The procedure is incredibly complex.
I need Gray's complete trust whenever I help him. I cannot get to his memories without full subconscious trust. When helping Gray, I create a connection between our subconscious minds, allowing me to see and share his memories. I find the memories that are creating his negative emotions, and make them stronger, making them more prominent. His conscious mind has no choice but to focus on them, and this draws a strong emotional response. I send the memories into a "mind-scape" that he and I share, accessible through our connection. His conscious mind, still focused on those memories, transfers with them. I enter the shared mind-scape as well. We both manifest mental projections to interact within that space.
I make a connection to Gray's conscious mind, allowing my conscious mind to communicate with his. We then go back through the memory together, but because it's already a memory, it happens very quickly for people on the outside, much faster than how it actually happened. To people in the connection, though, it feels like it happens how it did originally. Our connection allows our minds to partly mesh, and I can directly comfort him, without physical sensory filters such as hearing or touch. Our minds meshing requires conscious trust as well.
The mesh allows me to hear his thoughts and emotions, and he can hear mine. I help him through the memories, constantly keeping him as calm as I can. I believe the mesh tricks the "middle" mind, the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, into believing that I'm his subconscious mind.
I go through the problematic memories one at a time, drawing them out one at a time to take care of them. It's a long process, and sometimes they require more than one attempt. Each of Gray's memories will require multiple long sessions.

[close]

Gray: Uh...
Ahkai: ...Did I start rambling?
Gray: ...
Jade: Yes.
Ahkai: I apologize, it is a habit of mine I am attempting to break...
Gray: I said I didn't like it being talked about...
Ahkai: What other way could I have explained it?
Gray: How about using another Kroan as an example?
Ahkai: You mean the ones that are dead?
Gray: Watch it. I'm affected by their deaths as well. You've been in my head, you know I'm not lying.

[Gray turns back to Samuel and Hysoka.]
Gray: Anyway... Merging ships could be useful, but it may get out of hand. What happens if a ship gets to an unreasonable size? Should we have a safeguard of some sort, like making larger ships unstable compared to smaller ones?

Leah: A construction ship has arrived.
Gray: Good, get them to weld the modified Higgs Crystals into place.
Leah: No problem.
[To the Lathingbird]
Leah: Hello, construction vessel. This is Leah, from the Endurance. The materials required should already be out there, in position. All we need you to do is weld the materials into place. Be careful, you're working near a singularity containment unit. None of us would want that to rupture.

[close]

aftermath.

Even if it was on you, i still feel...responsible...
hey, cheer up, Sam! it-
i just do... ...my emotions are making me irrational...
...you couldn-
lets just stop this small conversation, ok?
...ok.


trust...
I mightn't be able to undergo that therapy...
...why? you dont trus-
I dont trust even myself right now, hysoka...
...is it... because of-
I feel like an alien to my own-
you arent! stop saying that, Samuel!
...you dont under-
YOU DONT UNDERSTAND!
{Hysoka gets tired of Samuel saying that he is the alien of "his own species". Hysoka's robotic eye turns red.}
how its like being distrusted... for the fact that i was captured, controled, repurposed, tortured... as a hydraxil worker? for something that is completely out of my control?! much less remember how it all started?! who was i before everything i knew was being part of the collective, following orders, nearly mindlessly?!
HOW IT FEELS THAT EVERYONE YOU SEE AROUND YOU LOOK AT YOU IN DISGUST?! NEARLY BEING KILLED FOR A MISUNDERSTANDING?!
at least you havent been bullied for the entiret-
I DO GET BULLIED, THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME, SAMUEL.
{Hysoka starts breathing heavily. his eye lighting up in a crosshair-like formation.}
...
...look, lets just ignore that that ever happened...
...I'm sorry you guys had to see that happen.



...lets just drop the idea of the therapy entirely...
....



oh, I... I'd like to... work alone... with... with th-
you need all the help you can have reprogramming the copied consciousnesses to fit to the ships, no? let Jade help.
...seems logical to do so. but...
let Jade help... please, Samuel. whatever happened in the past mustn't haunt you now.
...*sigh*... fine.


{Samuel was seen somewhat uneasy as they were talking about Kroans and deaths.}


hmm... a safeguard..? if the ships get too big..? seems logical. perhaps making it so that big ships... unwantedly create energy signatures..?

hmm... since ship-template-fixator toggling and combining is my specialty, i can help with that.


{meanwhile, with the construction vessel.}
{It was not a LathingBird, but rather Ferra on their newly upgraded vessel.}
Ferra: hello!
Ferra: I see the materials.
Ferra: weld them. got it.
Ferra: singularit- woah ok... im gonna be super duper extra careful...

[close]

[close]

Gray: It's fine. I've heard things similar to this before, back on my Earth. Sounds just like the results of genetic engineering and my universe's humanity.
Ahkai: Let us just focus on the reason you two came on board. Jade, try to help them to the best of your ability.
Jade: No problem!
[To Samuel] Jade: So, where are we going to work on it? I can make a mobile workstation, if it's needed.
Ahkai: Before the upgrade finishes, Hysoka, I would like to give you a tour of the Endurance. Would that be okay?
[Gray glances at Ahkai, skeptical of her intentions. Ahkai ignores Gray, and nobody else notices.]
Gray: Okay, well. Leah, how goes the upgrade?
Leah: The upgrade will take just under an hour. It'll take another 30 minutes to spin up the Drive, and another for West and Oliver to make post-startup checks. After that, you can begin...whatever it is you're going to do. I don't understand half the things you say.
Jade: Hehe. Don't worry, I don't understand most of your weapon lingo either.
Leah: Hah. We've all got our talents, I suppose.
Gray: I'll be doing some target practice until the Drive comes back online. If you need me, call me or ask someone in the crew to find me.

[close]

Genetic engineering..? First thing i remember is coming out of my mother's womb, and my mother was thoroughly against injections at that time. I got most of my genes from my father, which was also a scientist. He was a wise man... he was like me... but he didnt have useless feelings in his way... or atleast had less of them...
{He looks down to the floor, fighting the urge to cry.}
...is he..?
dead? Who knows... him along my mother and sister were abducted...
...and it had to be the one day my father decided to not work... staying home...
...Samuel, I... I am sor-
I am afraid i have already heard that a lot throughout my recent life... honestly... id rather not hear that... if you will...
I... apologize Samuel...
{Samuel pats Hysoka on his robotic shoulder.}
its ok Hysoka...



[To Jade]
if you wish, we can work on it here, if it makes you able to work better.
{He pulls out a small device.}
the copies of the consciousnesses of Zo- ...oh right, you havent met them yet... anyways, the consciousnesses are stored here. We just need to connect it to a computer and modify the consciousnesses to fit to ship bodies instead of humanoid bodies, give them special merging protocols, special reproductive protocols, special consciousness copying protocols, All that lingo. It'll be... challenging... but its possible.



a tour? Of course!
{He follows Ahkai.}

[TripleKings]

Previous

before

previous

what happened upon arrival...

Transmission/Conversation

II=Sending Transmission: >>>Endurance=II
greetings. we have received the control...thing..?
Construction vessels. got it.
{Samuel taps on his glasses a few times. he seems to be dialing on his glasses...}
yes, Alexander?
yes.
...I apologize.
...Gray and company need a construction vessel.
...Ferra?
their vessel is small. call a LathingBird instead.
...what do you mean?
...ah. I apologize.
...yea- no! Alex you-
{laughter could be heard through the glasses, right before Samuel hangs up. Hysoka seems to have heard the conversation and starts getting all giggly.}
...what was that?
{he said, his eyes glowing.}
n-nothing..!
...mmhmm...
{he said, eyes not glowing anymore.}


...session..?
oh...
...
...handling... emotions..?
...
...I apologize.. I am partially to blame there...
there was... you weren-
I accidentally let out... problematic thoughts... on Gray and, in return, he lashed out on me...
...
...
...(transmission is still going...)
...oh...
...perhaps... a session could be helpful to me...
...why would yo-
i just... I  feel unstable... erratic...
my sealed up emotions are finally blowing up on me... taking over my logical thinking...
and i hate it... so much...
.... you might wanna talk to them about that when we- (DEAR LORD, TRANSMISSION IS STILL GOING!)
...are you free today, Hysoka?
...yes.
good. then we can go there right now.
Excuse me, wh-
{Before Hysoka could even finish, Samuel reaches for a button in his console.}
II=End of Transmission.=II
...
...
{Samuel and Hysoka could be seen teleporting into the Endurance.}
SAMUEL! RESPECT MY FRE-
{his anger fades away, as he saw around the inside of the ship}
-Eee... tiime..! ...an engineering BEAUTY this ship is!
Greetings. sorry for the abrupt entrance.
Now... about our plans with the ships...
IDEA! IDEA!
{he said, his right, robotic eye shinning a yellow exclamation mark.}
...? whats your idea?
the TPC has the merging technologies...
it can make ships merge...
....mmhmm..?
WHAT IF....
these creations of ours...
were to be able to merge as a main mechanism..?!
hmm... possible. would be hard to program, but i will take on that chall-
you mentioned evolving, right?
....mmhmm..?
...what if they learn ways to merge..?
{he said, his ussually white coloured eye turning green as he spoke.}
...it could work. but for no-
{they suddenly realize that they were basically speaking to themselves, so their heads turn to Gray.}
....my apologies... what are your thoughts about this project..?
and... is... Ahkai... available..?

[close]

[Gray and Ahkai watch the transmission. They get to the end, and the bridge door opens. Hysoka and Samuel have just teleported outside the main bridge.]
Gray: Hysoka, Samuel! Glad you could make it.
Ahkai: Hello, to both of you.
Gray: Thank you, Hysoka. It was hastily put together, so I'm glad it looks decent. You know, Samuel, you weren't "partially to blame" for me yelling at you. I told you back in the Capital, that was all on me.
Ahkai: Speaking of high emotions, are you sure you want to go through the therapy? ...Are you sure you are able to? I am by no means a strong psionic, so the process like the one Gray and I have started requires a great deal of trust, both of the conscious and subconscious sort.
Gray: I really don't like talking about it.
Ahkai: You know you will have to eventually.
Gray: Yeah, yeah, I know. I'll be fine once it's done and over with.
Ahkai: We have gotten off track. Hysoka, the fleet design you and Samuel started designing... It's a push on the boundaries of what is possible. I say let us see how far we can get.
Gray: My sentiments exactly.
[Gray listens to the ideas about merging being a main function.]
Gray: Self-sufficient, merging ships... That would probably be difficult, unless they have matter couplers built into their hull. Sentience shouldn't be a problem. Not only do you have someone capable of working on it, but we do too.
[Gray turns.]
Gray: Hey, Jade. You still know how to code computers, right?
Jade: Leah, take over my station for me please.
[Jade walks over.]
Jade: Yeah, it's not like I'd forget. Why do you ask?
Gray: We've got a task ahead of us during which your skills might prove useful. Hysoka and Samuel have an artificial consciousness already made, but they need to give it the ability to control a ship.
Jade: Oh, I can do that! It's just a matter of creating drivers and specialized kernels that the AI can recognize and act through.
Ahkai: Samuel, I am available, but you need to be sure beyond any doubt at all that you want to do this. It works something like this:

Ahkai explains how she's helping Gray. WARNING: LONG.

The procedure is incredibly complex.
I need Gray's complete trust whenever I help him. I cannot get to his memories without full subconscious trust. When helping Gray, I create a connection between our subconscious minds, allowing me to see and share his memories. I find the memories that are creating his negative emotions, and make them stronger, making them more prominent. His conscious mind has no choice but to focus on them, and this draws a strong emotional response. I send the memories into a "mind-scape" that he and I share, accessible through our connection. His conscious mind, still focused on those memories, transfers with them. I enter the shared mind-scape as well. We both manifest mental projections to interact within that space.
I make a connection to Gray's conscious mind, allowing my conscious mind to communicate with his. We then go back through the memory together, but because it's already a memory, it happens very quickly for people on the outside, much faster than how it actually happened. To people in the connection, though, it feels like it happens how it did originally. Our connection allows our minds to partly mesh, and I can directly comfort him, without physical sensory filters such as hearing or touch. Our minds meshing requires conscious trust as well.
The mesh allows me to hear his thoughts and emotions, and he can hear mine. I help him through the memories, constantly keeping him as calm as I can. I believe the mesh tricks the "middle" mind, the bridge between the conscious and subconscious mind, into believing that I'm his subconscious mind.
I go through the problematic memories one at a time, drawing them out one at a time to take care of them. It's a long process, and sometimes they require more than one attempt. Each of Gray's memories will require multiple long sessions.

[close]

Gray: Uh...
Ahkai: ...Did I start rambling?
Gray: ...
Jade: Yes.
Ahkai: I apologize, it is a habit of mine I am attempting to break...
Gray: I said I didn't like it being talked about...
Ahkai: What other way could I have explained it?
Gray: How about using another Kroan as an example?
Ahkai: You mean the ones that are dead?
Gray: Watch it. I'm affected by their deaths as well. You've been in my head, you know I'm not lying.

[Gray turns back to Samuel and Hysoka.]
Gray: Anyway... Merging ships could be useful, but it may get out of hand. What happens if a ship gets to an unreasonable size? Should we have a safeguard of some sort, like making larger ships unstable compared to smaller ones?

Leah: A construction ship has arrived.
Gray: Good, get them to weld the modified Higgs Crystals into place.
Leah: No problem.
[To the Lathingbird]
Leah: Hello, construction vessel. This is Leah, from the Endurance. The materials required should already be out there, in position. All we need you to do is weld the materials into place. Be careful, you're working near a singularity containment unit. None of us would want that to rupture.

[close]

aftermath.

Even if it was on you, i still feel...responsible...
hey, cheer up, Sam! it-
i just do... ...my emotions are making me irrational...
...you couldn-
lets just stop this small conversation, ok?
...ok.


trust...
I mightn't be able to undergo that therapy...
...why? you dont trus-
I dont trust even myself right now, hysoka...
...is it... because of-
I feel like an alien to my own-
you arent! stop saying that, Samuel!
...you dont under-
YOU DONT UNDERSTAND!
{Hysoka gets tired of Samuel saying that he is the alien of "his own species". Hysoka's robotic eye turns red.}
how its like being distrusted... for the fact that i was captured, controled, repurposed, tortured... as a hydraxil worker? for something that is completely out of my control?! much less remember how it all started?! who was i before everything i knew was being part of the collective, following orders, nearly mindlessly?!
HOW IT FEELS THAT EVERYONE YOU SEE AROUND YOU LOOK AT YOU IN DISGUST?! NEARLY BEING KILLED FOR A MISUNDERSTANDING?!
at least you havent been bullied for the entiret-
I DO GET BULLIED, THANK YOU FOR REMINDING ME, SAMUEL.
{Hysoka starts breathing heavily. his eye lighting up in a crosshair-like formation.}
...
...look, lets just ignore that that ever happened...
...I'm sorry you guys had to see that happen.



...lets just drop the idea of the therapy entirely...
....



oh, I... I'd like to... work alone... with... with th-
you need all the help you can have reprogramming the copied consciousnesses to fit to the ships, no? let Jade help.
...seems logical to do so. but...
let Jade help... please, Samuel. whatever happened in the past mustn't haunt you now.
...*sigh*... fine.


{Samuel was seen somewhat uneasy as they were talking about Kroans and deaths.}


hmm... a safeguard..? if the ships get too big..? seems logical. perhaps making it so that big ships... unwantedly create energy signatures..?

hmm... since ship-template-fixator toggling and combining is my specialty, i can help with that.


{meanwhile, with the construction vessel.}
{It was not a LathingBird, but rather Ferra on their newly upgraded vessel.}
Ferra: hello!
Ferra: I see the materials.
Ferra: weld them. got it.
Ferra: singularit- woah ok... im gonna be super duper extra careful...

[close]

[close]

Gray: It's fine. I've heard things similar to this before, back on my Earth. Sounds just like the results of genetic engineering and my universe's humanity.
Ahkai: Let us just focus on the reason you two came on board. Jade, try to help them to the best of your ability.
Jade: No problem!
[To Samuel] Jade: So, where are we going to work on it? I can make a mobile workstation, if it's needed.
Ahkai: Before the upgrade finishes, Hysoka, I would like to give you a tour of the Endurance. Would that be okay?
[Gray glances at Ahkai, skeptical of her intentions. Ahkai ignores Gray, and nobody else notices.]
Gray: Okay, well. Leah, how goes the upgrade?
Leah: The upgrade will take just under an hour. It'll take another 30 minutes to spin up the Drive, and another for West and Oliver to make post-startup checks. After that, you can begin...whatever it is you're going to do. I don't understand half the things you say.
Jade: Hehe. Don't worry, I don't understand most of your weapon lingo either.
Leah: Hah. We've all got our talents, I suppose.
Gray: I'll be doing some target practice until the Drive comes back online. If you need me, call me or ask someone in the crew to find me.

[close]

Genetic engineering..? First thing i remember is coming out of my mother's womb, and my mother was thoroughly against injections at that time. I got most of my genes from my father, which was also a scientist. He was a wise man... he was like me... but he didnt have useless feelings in his way... or atleast had less of them...
{He looks down to the floor, fighting the urge to cry.}
...is he..?
dead? Who knows... him along my mother and sister were abducted...
...and it had to be the one day my father decided to not work... staying home...
...Samuel, I... I am sor-
I am afraid i have already heard that a lot throughout my recent life... honestly... id rather not hear that... if you will...
I... apologize Samuel...
{Samuel pats Hysoka on his robotic shoulder.}
its ok Hysoka...



[To Jade]
if you wish, we can work on it here, if it makes you able to work better.
{He pulls out a small device.}
the copies of the consciousnesses of Zo- ...oh right, you havent met them yet... anyways, the consciousnesses are stored here. We just need to connect it to a computer and modify the consciousnesses to fit to ship bodies instead of humanoid bodies, give them special merging protocols, special reproductive protocols, special consciousness copying protocols, All that lingo. It'll be... challenging... but its possible.



a tour? Of course!
{He follows Ahkai.}

[close]

THE FOLLOWING TOOK PLACE ON THE DISCORD SERVER PREVIOUSLY MENTIONED. WARNING: LONG

Spoiler

Ahkai: The bridge, as you can see, is divided into two sections: Major, and minor. We have the main crew quarters right behind it, lining the bridge corridor.
{Hysoka listens to what Ahkai says and nods, not having much to say.}
[Ahkai gestures to the corridor leading further into the Endurance.]
Ahkai: If we follow this corridor here, we can get to the Recreational sector.
[They walk along the main corridor.]
Hysoka: recrea-ational sector..? What is it for..?
Ahkai: The Endurance was meant to hold hundreds of thousands of people at maximum. Unfortunately, only six humans made it to the ship. We do not even have a skeleton crew.
Ahkai: The recreational sector contains what these people would need, such as a mess hall and entertainment.
Hysoka: O-oh... I-I see...
Ahkai: The mess hall is connected directly to this main corridor, through here.
[Ahkai hits a button on the wall, and a section of the wall retracts like a sliding door.]
{Hysoka looks around as Ahkai explained}
Hysoka: I see...
[Ahkai enters the mess hall and activates a replicator.]
Ahkai: Would you like anything to eat or drink?
Hysoka: just some water... i dont feel like eating or drinking much...
[Ahkai dials it into the replicator, and, detecting no preexisting container, it creates a cup before dispensing the water. Ahkai hands the glass to Hysoka.]
Ahkai: Here's the water. Is something wrong?
{Hysoka looks down at the cup, trying to have a blank expression.}
Hysoka: nothi-ing's wrong....
Ahkai: Is it about what you said to Samuel?
Ahkai: I may not understand where it comes from, but I know it troubles you.
Hysoka: I.... ...yes...
Hysoka: he has been so... down... lately...
Hysoka: i dont like seeing anyone like that... but he doesnt help either, you know..?
Ahkai: I see. Would you like to talk about it with me along the walk?
Hysoka: i guess so...
Ahkai: Thank you.
[Ahkai steps over to another door, opening it.]
Ahkai: The Lounge is through here.
{He follows Ahkai.}
Ahkai: The lounge has two floors. The top, the one we are in, is split into two halves.
Ahkai: the first half is a general area. You can do whatever you want in here, within reason.
{Hysoka silently listens to Ahkai and looks around the room she is explaining.}
[There is enough room in this section for it to contain a basketball court. It's filled with couches, tables, televisions, and anything else you might find in a well-furnished home.]
Ahkai: The bar from the mess hall also opens in here.
[Ahkai gestures to the bar. It's the same double-sided bar.]
{Hysoka follows Ahkai.}
[The second section is a ways away, so Ahkai uses the time it takes to get there.]
Ahkai: Can you tell me about your history?
Hysoka: you mean... me in general or... what happened with Samuel..?
Ahkai: I would like to know about your past with the Collective. You do not have to share.
Hysoka: i-its ok...
Hysoka:... i used to be a... "template enhancer" of sorts...
Hysoka: i had talents they saw as "valuable"... or so i thought...
[Ahkai listens intently.]
Hysoka: they used me... me being a "mindless worker doing what im functioned to do"...
Hysoka: they made me make... "advanced templates"...
Hysoka: or at least help the one supposed to do that...
Hysoka: its... complicated...
Ahkai: And the "templates" are the ships they use?
Hysoka:... yes...
Hysoka: and i... i cant help but... feel like I...
{Tears start running down his still organic eye}
Hysoka:...Like I have... some blame for... unknowingly... making it so... more people die... because of them...
Ahkai: You are not at fault for this. You were unconscious of your actions, were you not?
Hysoka: i was, for a long part of it...
Ahkai: That means it was not truly you doing anything. It was them.
Hysoka: my... "disconnection"... started when they started... "upgrading"... me...
{He shows his arms, one pointing to his robotic right eye.}
Ahkai: As they tried to make you more capable of serving them, they caused their own downfall. That is good. Whoever did that to you made you stronger than them. Smarter than them.
[Ahkai brings Hysoka into a comforting hug, wiping the tears from his face.]
{Hysoka hugs her back, more tears going down his left, organic eye. His voice gets increasingly whiny.}
Hysoka: but i dont... feel like I... got stronger...
Ahkai: That is because they tried to keep you down. They tried to crush your spirit so you would not retaliate.
Hysoka: They tried to make me as perfect as i could be... trying to "fix my shaking arms"... "trying to fix my strange walking pattern"...
{As he said those statements, he pointed at his arms and legs respectively}
Hysoka: the "upgrades" are painful... they... dont care wether it hurts to you or not...
Ahkai: That is my point. The "upgrades" sound like an attempt to make you better at your job, and not using anesthetics sounds like a preemptive punishment.
Hysoka: t-they just...
{His crying starts to slowly intensify.}
Ahkai: Remember, you are not there anymore. Now, you can truly make a difference. Fight back as you have been, and you just might win the war.
Hysoka:...I just... i feel like... its just... they are...
{Hysoka barely knows what to say, his voice getting increasingly whiny. His left arm getting covered in tears.}
Ahkai: Would you like to rest as we go through the tour?
{Hysoka tries to calm down, nodding.}
[Ahkai nods and kneels, her hind legs fully on the floor and her front legs standing nearly straight up.]
Ahkai: Here. Climb on.
Hysoka: O... Ok..?
{He confusedly responds.}
[Ahkai stands up again.]
Ahkai: I am sorry I brought that memory to the surface.
[Ahkai opens the door to the second half of the top level of the lounge. Betting machines, televisions, and two holodecks are immediately visible.]
Hysoka: its ok...
{He says, as he looked around in the next room}
Ahkai: In here, we would be able to hold competitions, of sorts, using these holodecks.
[The holodecks look like large, circular areas of sheet metal until stood upon.]
{Hysoka simply looked around as Ahkai spoke.}
Ahkai: These competitions can resemble anything from swordfighting to three-dimensional combat, to standard chess.
[Ahkai demonstrates it by standing on one. It lights up immediately. Holograms form as a list of options for Ahkai to choose from. She makes small hand gestures, selecting 'Fencing.' In her hand, a fencing blade forms. It follows her hand movements down to the tiniest twitch.]
{Hysoka doesnt seem to care about it, but he pretends to. He is still thinking about his outburst...}
Hysoka: interesting...
{He said, pretending to be interested.}
[Ahkai steps off the holodeck.]
Ahkai: People can bet on the competitions through these booths here.
[She points to machines against the wall.]
Hysoka: I... I dont like betting... its concept i find... not appealing...
{Hysoka says, as he somewhat heard about betting.}
Ahkai: I agree. I do not see the point in gambling.
Ahkai: The bottom level of the lounge has a few movie theaters, a stage, and two more holodecks.
[Ahkai steps into a transport gate.]
Ahkai: These transport gates are simply glorified elevators.
Hysoka: heh...
{He said, voice still sounding somewhat down, but trying to sound as if he is actually listening.}
[They teleport to the bottom level of the lounge. The first thing they notice is the darkness.]
Ahkai: These lights should be on...
[To Oliver]
Ahkai: Oliver, the lights in the lower lounge are not receiving power.
Oliver: I know. I'm keeping them off while we're upgrading the Drive.
Ahkai: I see. I would like to be warned in advance next time.
[Normal]
Ahkai: The lights in here are off to conserve power. We will head back to the main corridor, okay?
Hysoka: okay.
{He says, his voice now sounding somewhat normal. It seems he is starting to get over whatever bugged him...}
[Ahkai opens her secondary eyes and navigates through the darkness. She eventually steps through the door leading to the main corridor. She then travels further into the ship, heading towards the back, then to the left into another corridor. There are four doors to choose from.]
Ahkai: We have several rooms to choose from: the Mechanical Development Division, the Weaponry Development Division, the Quantum Division, and the Biology Lab.
Hysoka: D'uhh... I dont... w-weaponry..?
{Said hysoka, not really knowing what to choose.}
Hysoka: yeah, just go to the Weaponry Dev Division...
{Hysoka said, shrugging.}
Ahkai: Okay.
[Ahkai stands in front of the WDD door and it silently slides open.]
Ahkai: We have constructors capable of creating blades, guns, or anything you can imagine. In here, there are isolated chambers for testing blades, and and a firing range...that...Gray is in right now.
Ahkai: Would you like to try one of the weapons?
Hysoka: wait, what weapon is Gray using...?
{He asks, later noticing he has a robotic arm. His mind gets flooded with memories...}
Ahkai: Gray has an artificial arm he built himself. He lost his original one before we escaped our Earth.
{The sparks made upon each shot scare hysoka, as they remind him of his eye upgrade. He starts getting anxious. His heartbeat fastens.}
Hysoka: n-no... d-dont... p-please...
{He almost inaudibly whispers, followed by heavy breathing.}
Ahkai: Hysoka? Are you all right?
{He puts a hand on his chest, feeling his increasingly fast heartbeat. He starts getting all shaky.}
Hysoka: en...ough...up...grades...please...
{His mind is filled with that moment and thoughts of the possibility for his other eye to be upgraded aswell. He puts both hands on his head and started breathing heavier. His robotic eye starts twitching.}
Hysoka: n-no... more...
{He could barely say due to heavy breathing.}
Ahkai: Hysoka, you're not being upgraded! It's only a memory!
[Ahkai yells to Gray.]
Ahkai: Gray, stop using your arm!
Hysoka: g-....get...out...of...my...head...
{He said, his eyes looking in pure shock. He dismounts Ahkai and falls to the floor, assuming a fetal position, banging his head on the nearby wall.}
Hysoka: Getoutofmyhead... getoutofmyhead... getoutofmyhead......
{He banged his head everytime he said "head". A river of tears went down his organic eye. His robotic eye's twitching intensified.}
[Ahkai drops to her knees next to Hysoka. She cushions Hysoka's head, keeping it from slamming into the wall any more. Ahkai triggers the mind link between her and Gray.]
Ahkai: Stop using your arm and turn around!
[Ahkai places her upper hands on Hysoka's temples and focuses. She tries to begin helping Hysoka, but she can't get past the mental wall Hysoka put up. With her mind manifested inside Hysoka's, all she can do is ask Gray for help to get past the wall. Gray consents, and she draws upon his mental strength through their connection.
She manages to find a way through the wall, and she is taken aback by Hysoka's mental state. Ahkai steels herself and gets to work. Ahkai fuses her consciousness to Hysoka's, and begins comforting her like she did with Gray. The two don't go through any memories together. Instead, Ahkai opts for pure mental state repair.]
[To Ahkai, Hysoka's mind looks like two fleets of ships eternally at war. These ships are tied together. The ships are memories, and the strings holding the ships together are Hysoka's mind. Good memories strengthen the strings, and bad memories weaken the strings. There are TPC ships that glow green, and upon further inspection they appear to be positive memories. The negative memories take the form of Hydraxil ships. There are two ships that stand out among the rest, though, pulsing and visibly affecting the strings holding them. One good, one bad. The good memory takes the form of Hysoka's personal ship. The bad memory takes the form of a superdreadnaught. Ahkai moves herself closer to the pulsing superdreadnaught, hovering along the strings. She peers into the memory, and discovers that Hysoka is reliving his memory of his "upgrades." Moving back, she observes Hysoka's mindscape as a whole.]
Ahkai: How did it get this unbalanced...?
[Ahkai begins a special treatment, saved only for the worst cases on Kroa. If done wrong, it can shatter the mind. She begins restructuring Hysoka's cognitive manifestation. She manifests her cognitive construction tool, and it takes the form of sewing needles and twine. She begins the treatment by attaching a piece of the twine to Hysoka's strongest good memory. That end of the string immediately becomes reinforced, and grows thicker. Ahkai attaches the other end of that same piece to the major bad memory. The end of the string attached to the bad memory withers. A few moments pass, then the extremely reinforced section withers considerably, and the other end of the string thickens. Ahkai notices the two memories gliding closer to one another. Ahkai recognizes as part of the repair process in this manifestation, and she moves on to the next memories. At the end of her work, each good memory is connected to one bad memory. All the good memories become connected to each other, and the bad memories become connected to each other. They have glided towards each other, restoring a healthy mental balance.]
Ahkai: Wait... What is that?
[Ahkai hovers closer to what look like destroyed ships. The ships don't look like anything Ahkai had ever seen. These memories have been damaged and disconnected, as evidenced by fragments floating near them and cut strings dangling uselessly from them. Ahkai knows the dangers of reconnecting broken memories like this, and decides to leave them alone. She hovers back towards the main network, and looks at her work.]
Ahkai: Not perfect, but it will have to do...
[Ahkai turns to leave Hysoka's mind, and visibly recoils. Hysoka has manifested in front of her.]
Hysoka: thank you...
{Said Hysoka's mental manifestation, before dissappearing.}
[Ahkai leaves Hysoka's mind, opening her eyes to find Gray kneeling over her and Hysoka.]
{Hysoka opens his eyes, looks around, not really traumatized by looking at Gray's arm up close anymore, but rather look displeased.}
Hysoka: wh-what... h-happened..?
{He says, putting one hand on his head, standing up.}
Ahkai: You had a flashback to one of your Collective memories. It bled into the present, and that memory was all you could observe.
Ahkai: I went into your mind and restructured it. It was severely out of balance.
Hysoka: wh-what..? R-restruct...tured..?
{He cant properly stand. He seems as if he could fall down to the floor any second.}
[Ahkai helps Hysoka stand.]
Ahkai: Do you want to climb on again?
Hysoka: I... I dont... feel...
{Hysoka faints.}
[Ahkai catches him.]
Ahkai: Gray, go prepare the medbay.
[Ahkai places Hysoka on her back and forms a makeshift harness using her arms. She then starts moving towards the medbay.]
{His mind isn't accepting the new changes. The newly formed links are breaking.}
[In the medbay, Hysoka is set down in the diagnosis chamber.]
{His mind is getting worse. Already existing links are starting to wither. Hysoka is having a mental breakdown.}
Gray: His mind is weakening. What did you do?
Ahkai: I repaired the links in his mind! They should not be breaking!
[Ahkai gets a steely look in her eyes.]
Ahkai: I am going back in. I will not give up.
[Ahkai uses the existing connection to enter Hysoka's mind.]
[Ahkai comes back to utter chaos. Some good memories are starting to flash red, and the new strings are withering rapidly.]
Ahkai: No, no, no!
[Ahkai forces Hysoka's conscious mind to manifest in front of her.]
Ahkai: We do not have much time. Your subconscious mind is collapsing. You know your mind better than anyone else, what do I do?
Hysoka: I... Dont... know...
{Said the manifestation, somewhat disintegrating.}
Hysoka: if this... is truly... the end... stay with... me...
Hysoka: please... dont... allow it...
{He extended his hand towards Ahkai.}
Hysoka: I'm... not... ready...
Ahkai: I will not let you die.
[Ahkai takes his hand and produces her construction tools. This time, she fuses them with her manifestation. Ahkai uses the full extent of her power to keep Hysoka alive, adding, intersecting, and merging strings, and boosting memories whenever required.]
[Outside of the mind]
Ahkai: Gray, I'm stalling the breakdown, I need you to replace all of his cybernetic parts with parts similar to your arm. Map the nanites to his new neural structure, do whatever you have to, but make sure he's rid of any traces of the Collective!
Gray: I have spare nanites in my quarters. I'll be back.
[Gray takes off at a full sprint, being boosted by his arm forming an exo.]
[Inside the mind]
Hysoka: Thank...
{His manifestation's disintegration goes back to almost back to normal}.
Hysoka: You...
[Inside the mind]
Hysoka: Thank...
{His manifestation's disintegration goes almost back to normal}.
Hysoka: You...
[Gray comes sprinting back into the medbay with a container of compressed nanites.]
{Hysoka's manifestation seems... getting younger. Some of the destroyed memories seem to be activating...}
Hysoka: what... is... happening...?
Gray: Okay. We'll need to send modulated electron pulses through his nervous system to get an accurate scan. The nanites can do that, but it takes them a while. Tell him to hang on, it's gonna be a bumpy ride.
Ahkai: <You had memories locked away. The collapse must be awakening some of them.>
Ahkai: <Your default manifestation is a combination of you from all of your memories. These new memories must be pre-Collective. Look at your cybernetics.>
{The locked memories seem to be creating a network of their own...}
Hysoka: strange... its like... having new memories... i never had...
{He looks down at his own body, and sees one arm being organic, and the other one being nanite-based.}
Hysoka: huh... strange...
{His robotic eye looked organic again.}
Ahkai: Gray is preparing to replace your current cybernetics with nanites of his design. He will be sending electricity through your nerves to map your nervous system. He says it will feel like being shocked by static electricity.
Hysoka: uhh... ok..?
[At the same time]
Gray: first pulse in 3... 2... 1...
Ahkai: Pulse in 3... 2... 1...
[the first pulse courses through Hysoka's body.]
{The pulse somehow boosted the connection of the old memories.}
Hysoka: EEK?! Oooww....
Gray: 20% mapped. Another pulse in 30 seconds.
Ahkai: 20% done. Another pulse in 30 seconds. What do you remember from these new memories?
Gray: Pulse in 3... 2... 1...
Ahkai: Pulse in 3... 2... 1...
[the second pulse surges through Hysoka's body, further than the first.]
Hysoka: I... remember... cities... a family...
Hysoka: I think... my family...
Hysoka: I see...
Hysoka: I...cant see... anything else...
Ahkai: The next pulse should reveal more. You could peer directly into the memories, if you wish.
Hysoka: do it...
Hysoka: do the pulse...
Gray: 3... 2... 1...
Ahkai: 3... 2... 1...
[The next pulse occurs.]
Hysoka: HNGH..!
{He said, somewhat prepared for that one.}
Hysoka: I see more..!
Hysoka: I see...
Hysoka: ...Alexander..?
Hysoka: am i mixing up my memories..?
Ahkai: Let us find out. Come with me.
[Ahkai leads Hysoka to the memories and opens one up. The memory flows.]
Hysoka: I- wooaah..!
Hysoka: I see more of it..!
Hysoka:... I used to be a human from TP... thats for sure...
Hysoka: I was one of Alex's friends...
Gray: 3... 2... 1...
Ahkai: 3... 2... 1...
[The next pulse surges.]
{His older memories glow more, while his newer memories start to flicker. He was focusing too much on his older memories...}
Hysoka: I... see... two robots... i think... i made...
Hysoka: one of my highest... achievements... back then...
Ahkai: Be careful. Don't look too deep into the memories before you are ready. You could lose your current memories.
Hysoka: oh, I can..? Ill try to not let that happen...
{His newer memories no longer flicker.}
Hysoka: ...I see... more memories of me and Alex...
Hysoka: how i snuck through some of his missions for particulate structure collection... those were good times...
Gray: 3... 2... 1...
Ahkai: 3... 2... 1...
[The final pulse surges, reaching everywhere. It visibly makes Hysoka's cognitive manifestation glow.]
Hysoka: HNGH!
Hysoka: ...i see... everything..!
Ahkai: That was the final pulse. Your nervous system is mapped and ready for the switch-off. Do you have anything to say before you become Collective-free?
Hysoka: s-...S....Sam...s...son...
{That name now went through his mind. It was his pre-collective name.}
Hysoka: S...Samson..?
Hysoka: I... thats... my real name..!
Ahkai: What do I call you now? Hysoka, or Samson?
Hysoka: I... I... dont know... I... I am both...
Ahkai: You can decide after you reawaken. For now, though... Are you ready?
Hysoka: I... I feel ready..!
{His newer memories were starting to flicker...}
[Ahkai ties the new memories into Hysoka's mind, right where they belong.]
{They stopped flickering.}
Hysoka: thank you... for everything...
Ahkai: I should be thanking you. Without you, who knows where we would be?
Hysoka: heh... well I... heh...
{He starts blushing.}
Hysoka: Its... Its... nothing...
Ahkai: Gray, it's time.
[Outside the mindscape]
Ahkai: Gray, it's time.
Gray: Alright. The nanites have begun working.
[The nanites go after one prosthetic limb at a time, eating them away and replacing them. The nanites start at the legs, and slowly work their way up. When the nanites reach Hysoka's brain, the nanites appear in the manifestation as a bright pulse emanating from the center and making the network glow even brighter.]
Ahkai: It is done. When you awaken, you will have new parts in place of the Collective's.
Hysoka: new parts..?
Hysoka: why for..?
Ahkai: You mentioned you were in constant pain, and I thought the parts were inhibiting your recovery.
Hysoka: they... were a souvenir... to some extent... a constant reminder... of the collective's insensitivity... but thank you.
Hysoka: a painful reminder, if you will... heh...
Ahkai: Then now... Awaken.
[Ahkai creates a wave of psionic energy that wakes both her and Hysoka.]
{Hysoka awakens suddenly, with a deep gasp. He looks around, breathing heavily.}
Hysoka: Ahkai...
Ahkai: I am here, Hysoka.
Hysoka: I... I remember...!
Hysoka: I still remember! Everything! I remember everything! Both of my memories!
Hysoka: I... REMEMBER! YIIHIIHEEAAH!
{he jumps out of bed in absolute happiness.}
Gray: Easy. The new parts may take some getting used to.
Ahkai: Do they hurt at all?
hysoka: getting used to? I alrea-
{He trips and falls to the floor}
Hysoka: OWW... ok, maybe a little getting used to...
Hysoka: they dont..! They dont hurt..!
Gray: Good. That's good. If you'd like, I can teach you how to bend and transform it.
Hysoka: transform..? My legs and arms..?
Ahkai: Yes, but we should do one thing at a time. Shall we go show Samuel?
Hysoka: Samuel? Yes, indeed!
Ahkai: Excellent. Let's go to the Bridge, he should still be there.
Hysoka: lets get going then! Hehe!
{He said, jumping excitedly with his new legs.}
[On comms]
Ahkai: Jade, are you and Samuel still on the Bridge?
Jade: We went to the Lounge. We're using the holodecks on the top level.
Ahkai: Okay. We're coming to you.
Ahkai: Hysoka, they're in the Lounge. Remember the holodecks?
Hysoka: I believe i do, yes!
Hysoka: ok, Ill see you there the-
{He trips and falls to the floor again.}
Hysoka: OW. I hope this doesnt turn into a thing...
{He simply stands up and goes back to running to the lounge.}
{He finally reaches the lounge. He sees Jade and Samuel in there.}
[Gray and Ahkai talk on the way to the Lounge, passing the time. They eventually arrive in the Lounge to see Hysoka waiting.]
Hysoka: Samuel! Such great new-
Samuel: new legs. New arms. New eye. I can see, you know? Dont interrupt conversations like that.
{Samuel turns back to Jade.}
Samuel: so as i was saying...
Gray: Samuel, what was that?
Hysoka: .......
{His hands began glowing. He accidentally turned on the arm cannons.}
Gray: whoa, Hysoka! Your arms.
Hysoka: ..?
{he looks down at his arms, the glow fading away.}
Hysoka: I... did that..?
Samuel: arm cannons? Fantastic. Not only did he interrupt a conversation, but he also wanted to kill me. Fantastic. Simply fantastic.
Gray: Samuel, what is wrong with you?
Samuel:...wait... am i doing it again..?
Gray: You just brushed Hysoka off like he was nothing.
Hysoka:...yes.
{His robotic eye started glowing like a crosshair.}
Gray: Careful. Emotions have a big part in how your parts respond.
Samuel:...I did..?
Samuel:...hysok-
Hysoka: dont touch me.
{hysoka said, backing off. He accidentally activated the arm cannons again.}
Ahkai: Try telling him who you found out you are.
Samuel: he found what..?
Hysoka: ...as despicable as you have always been, big brother...
Samuel: ...excuse me..?
Gray: Uh... it may not be best to start out with that...?
Hysoka: remember Samson?
Samuel:...yes. Alex said he was abduc-...ab...duc...ted...
Hysoka: you are as bittersweet as you have always been, big brother.
Samuel:...S...Samson..?
[Telepathically to Ahkai]
Gray: I can't help but notice a huge personality shift here...
Ahkai: Yes, I noticed it too. You should probably tone down the nanites just in case...
Gray: You're right.
Gray: Hey, Samson? Or, Hysoka, or whoever you are now. He thought you were dead ever since the Collective picked you up.
[Gray grabs his shoulder.]
Samuel: I... I thought they...
Hysoka: but they didnt. Look at me!
{Samuel approaches Hysoka/Samson.}
Samuel: S...Samson...!
{Samuel goes and hugs Samson/Hysoka.}
Samuel: with... miracles like... this... i might as... well... start hoping...
Hysoka: what do you mean..?
Samuel: i mean... hoping...
Samuel: heh... i guess the collective didnt stand your shaky arms... eh.. brother..?
{He said, with tears of joy on his face.}
Hysoka: heh... no they didnt...
Gray: I'm all for this little family reunion you have going on here, but I have to ask. How far have you gotten on the project you came here for?
Ahkai: Would that not depend on the Drive coming back online?
Gray: Ah, yes. The upgrade.
[Into comms]
Gray: How goes the upgrade, Oliver?
Oliver: We've just finished the primary startup sequence. We're running midfire diagonistics now, and after that we can fully spin up the Drive.
Gray: Okay. Tell me if anything goes wrong.
Oliver: Will do.
[Normal]
Gray: Alright. Ahkai, what do you say we get something to eat?
Ahkai: That sounds lovely, especially after what we just went through.
[Gray walks into the mess hall, dialing quick meals into the replicator.]
Gray: I'm sorry for cutting your tour short.
[Gray slides the meals across the table, towards Ahkai and towards where he will sit.]
Ahkai: I did not mind. Between you and me, I only took Hysoka on that tour so that he and I could talk about that anger he showed on the bridge.
Gray: Hm. Makes sense, actually. I didn't take you for the type to give tours willingly.
[Ahkai smiles a bit.]
Ahkai: I am definitely not that type. Quite the opposite, really. On Kroa, I was very living a secluded life. It was not forced, though. I chose it, and I was at peace until...that happened.
Gray: Speaking of Kroa... If you don't mind me asking, how advanced was your civilization?
Ahkai: Well...that is hard to answer. Comparatively, or technologically?
Gray: Technologically.
Ahkai: We had just reached what you would call the Automation Age.
Gray: That doesn't sound familiar. What was it like?
Ahkai: Every job on the planet was automated. Food was rationed, but everybody had enough that they were content. People were free to focus on other things, like themselves or advancement. With the start of that period, crime virtually halted. Nobody wanted anything from anybody, because they could get their own things easily without hurting others.
Gray: That...sounds nice.
Ahkai: It was. I lived on my own because I did not know how to socialize. I...was afraid I would mess up. With so many other Kroans stronger than me, it was overwhelming.
[Ahkai sighs.]
Ahkai: I was unaware of how much I would miss them when they were all gone. In the time I was in the survival pod, I thought it was the end. I started contemplating death, and what the afterlife would be like... And then you arrived. You appeared in the sky, like some sort of giant, mechanical angel. You saved us, and then we realized you were capable of things we could never even imagine. Spaceflight wasn't even a concept until then. It is a shame it takes the end of the world to truly bring to light the meaning, the very concept, of existence.
Gray: Exactly.
[Gray raises his glass in a toast.]
Gray: To lost friends.
[Ahkai raises her glass in kind.]
Ahkai: To lost friends.
[Gray gets a call from Oliver.]
Gray: Oliver, what is this? Calm down, I can't - ...Oh my god.
[Gray stands up and runs into the other room.]
Gray: Something's gone wrong with the Drive! All three of you, get to the bridge! Now!
Gray: Ahkai, I'd like you by my side as I'm dealing with this. It'll likely be a two-person job, and I trust you most of all.
[Ahkai stands.]
Ahkai: I would stay by your side to the ends of the universe. What should I do?
Gray: I need you to come with me. We need to fully shut down the Drive before it implodes.
[Gray and Ahkai sprint towards the manual reactor control chamber. As they arrive, they notice cracks in the floor, walls, and ceiling. There's a low rumble that slowly grows stronger.]
Gray: Okay, we need to override the reactor maintenance lock, otherwise we'll be crushed inside the corridor. There are two switches. I have the one over here. Hit that switch over there in 3, 2, 1, now.
[The switches are flipped.]
Ahkai: What now?
Gray: We have five minutes before the switches are forced back into position. Go, go, go!
[Gray and Ahkai run into the two corridors leading into the MRCC.]
Gray: There are two more safety protocols we have to override. First, turn the key at the same time as me and hit that big, red button across the panel.
[Ahkai follows Gray's instructions, and the doors to the MRCC open.]
Gray: Good, go!
[In the MRCC]
Gray: Final safety override. Enter the code: Alpha. Zero. Zero. One. Two. Omega. Once that's done, get out. I'm not risking your life any further than I need to.
Ahkai: I will not leave you here!
Gray: Yes, you are! Don't make me pull rank.
Ahkai: It would not matter. There are only eight crew members on the Endurance, including us.
Gray: Fine. Don't blame me if you get hurt.
[Gray presses a few buttons on the MRCC panel and flips a switch.]
Gray: What... Nothing's changed!
Ahkai: What should have happened?
Gray: We should have seen a drop in the Drive's power output to near zero. There's no time to figure out what went wrong, right now we have to get out of the gravity field. Just run!
[Gray and Ahkai sprint through the corridors, closing any airtight doors. They get through the corridor and shut the bulkhead door between the Endurance's crew area and the Entanglement Drive. They continue running until they don't see cracks in the structure, then close the next airtight door.
[On comms]
Gray: The failsafe didn't work. It couldn't bring down the Drive's power output.
[Static is heard on the other end.]
Gray: Interference. Comms are useless right now.
Ahkai: Hysoka, can you hear me? Tell Oliver we could not shut down the Drive. There is interference over the comms.
Gray: You still have a connection to Hysoka?
Ahkai: Yes. I had hoped to use it on a later date.
Gray: Alright. Well, we should be safe behind this, but I would---
[There is a loud bang and the bulkhead rips away. The room immediately starts depressurizing. Gray and Ahkai begin falling into the singularity. Gray catches Ahkai and digs his prosthetic arm into the wall, stopping their decent.]
Gray: Ahkai, hang on!
[Gray groans in exertion as he struggles to lift Ahkai.]
[The comms crackle, and Oliver's voice can be heard.]
Oliver: I thi** * can **ut it do**!
Gray: What!? No, don't shut it down, there are Higgs Crystal fragments inside that singularity!
[Oliver can't hear Gray, and smashes the singularity containment controls. The singularity disappears immediately, but Higgs Crystal shards fly out of the space the singularity was at. The shards embed themselves in any and all surfaces. The walls simply reabsorb them, but Gray and Ahkai get impaled by large shards and peppered with smaller ones. The smaller shards disappear underneath Gray's skin and Ahkai's chitin. Gray was impaled in the chest, on the opposite side of where his heart is. Ahkai was impaled twice in the abdomen. The last thing Gray sees before going unconscious is Ahkai, struggling to get free from the crystal before she succumbs and slumps over.]
{Meanwhile, before all of that happened, Ferra could be seen preparing the upgrades for the ED.}
Ferra: alright, so as they told me it goes a little like this...
{They maneuver their ship's lathes according to what they were told to do.}
Ferra: no room for mistakes...
Ferra: steady... steady...
{They try to focus their lathes on a singular point, at a specific strength, for a specific amout of time.}
Ferra: steady...
{Ferra gets increasingly distracted as time passes, causing them to accidentally melting a hole through the singularity core as they were welding it.}
Ferra: wait... is it... OH N-
{Ferra deactivates their lathes. Checking if the damages were too severe.}
Ferra: oh no... oh no.... ohno ohno ohno ohno ohno...
{The singularity core starts creating a gravity well. Ferra turns around and tries to escape.}
Ferra: IM SORRY! IM SO SORRY! OHNO OHNO OHNO OHNO OHNO....
{Ferra's vessel was barely holding against the gravity.}
{Ferra, not knowing what to do, makes a call to Samuel.}
Ferra: please... please... please...
{Meanwhile, inside the Endurance....}
{Gray and Ahkai could be seen running off.}
{Samuel's glasses start glowing, some text inside the glass.}
Samuel: hmm? Ferra..? What do they want now..?
Hysoka: I... Ahkai.? Ahkai is speaking to me..!
Samuel: what is she saying?
Hysoka: ...the ED ruptured! We need to get somewhere safer in this ship!
Samuel: right.
{He opens the call with Ferra.}
Samuel: Ferr-
Ferra: HEEEEELP!
{Samuel recoils from Ferra's sudden reaction, although, at the same time, not surprised.}
Samuel: so you released a black hole in ou-
Ferra: IM SOORRYYY! I NEED HEEELP!!
Samuel: I believe Gray and Ahkai to be on their way.
Ferra: ITS SUCKING ME IIIHIIHIIIN! HEEEEELP!!
Samuel:  calm down, focus on your thrusters. Deactivate everything else. That should boost your thr-
Ferra: I DID, BUT ITS NOT WORKIIING!
Leah: Ferra, there's no use fighting a black hole directly. Gain momentum by orbiting around it. Like how planets avoid falling into stars.
Ferra: orbiting around it..?
{They do so.}
Ferra: Its.... kinda working! ITS WORKING! THANK YOOHOOHOU!
{They seem to be almost crying of happiness.}
Ferra: Just... a bit... more...!
[Oliver can be heard telling Gray he has a solution.]
{The singularity shortly dissappears. Ferra stops, and turns to where the singularity was to see what happened.}
Ferra: it... it suddenly stopped..? What happene-
{As they turned around, the glass-crystal breaks, many higgs-crystals shooting into Ferra's vessel.}
Ferra: WHA- AHH! WHAT I-
{some of the higgs-crystals reach Ferra, a big one impaling itself into the crystallid equivalent of a chest.}
Ferra: AA... TH.... HG... CR.... IN.... MY... CH...
{they could barely speak, mainly due to pain and shock.}
Leah: Ferra, are you there? Can you hear me?
Samuel: Ferra? Are you there? Is something wrong?! Speak, dammit! FERRA?!
Ferra: HHHH...... S....SAM.... L.... LEAH....
{they faint.}
Leah: Samuel, you need to call someone to help Ferra.
Leah: Oliver, Rhodes, go get Gray and Ahkai.
Samuel: Right!
{Samuel dials for Alex faster than never before.}
Alex: hey Sa-
Samuel: ALEX!
Alex: we know of the quick BH your friends in there accidentaly made. Do you know of-
Samuel: SOMETHING IS WRONG WITH FERRA. BRING IN SOMEONE TO PICK THEM UP.
Alex: why are you screaming? You were never that worried wh-
Samuel: BRING. SOMEONE. TO PICK. FERRA. NOW.
Alex: they are already on their way! Calm down, Samuel! Geez!
[On comms]
Rhodes: Leah, there's nothing we can do for now.
Leah: Why not? Their lives are at stake.
Rhodes: Well, it turns out Oliver can't handle the sight of blood. He's currently having a panic attack at my feet.
Leah: And that matters why?
Rhodes: Because both Gray and Ahkai have been impaled by hull fragments.
Leah: WHAT!? I'm coming down there!
[Normal]
Leah: I'm going down to help Gray and Ahkai. Jade, you're in charge until I get back.
[Leah runs off, snagging an exo from the bridge armory.]
Hysoka: Samuel..? Are you ok.?
{Samuel seemed worried, somewhat secretly fidgetting.}
Samuel: Worries... overriding my thoughts.... suddenly...
Hysoka: how many times have i told you before my abduction that feelings aren-
Samuel: dont you dare... bring the past like that...
{His eyes start glowing.}
Hysoka: ....fine.
Jade: Don't fight on the bridge! Go use a holodeck with that gear.
Hysoka: ...right..?
Samuel: ...hmph.
{Samuel pulls out a device, which extends to be his tablet, which he ussually carries around, and starts taking notes in it.}
Jade: What are you doing?
Samuel: writing down ideas about the project.
Jade: Ah. Anything you'd like to share?
[On comms]
Leah: Jade. Gray and Ahkai are both in a very bad situation right now. They were impaled by the hull. I can't believe I have to say this, but... Go get Enodus.
Jade: I hope you know what you're doing.
[Jade goes to Enodus's quarters and opens the door. Enodus is meditating.]
Jade: Enodus, we need your help. Gray and Ahkai are in danger.
[Enodus's eyes snap open, and he stands.]
Enodus: Where?
Jade: In the main corridor. Follow it, and you'll see more crew members.
[Without another word, Enodus pushes past Jade and runs to Gray and Ahkai.]
{Samuel sees the Kroan run, looking somewhat confused, but doesnt stop taking notes. }
[At the bulkhead]
Leah: Enodus, I'm glad you could make it. Gray and Ahkai are on the other side of this bulkhead. The atmospheric replenishers are working to keep them alive, but we need to get them to this side.
Enodus: Easy. Back away.
[All three humans back away from the bulkhead.]
Leah: I should mention they've been impaled and are pinned to the floor.
Enodus: ...And?
Leah: And, you need to be careful so you don't hurt them even more!
Enodus: You don't say?
[Enodus closes his eyes and concentrates. The bulkhead doors slide open, while Gray and Ahkai are lifted from the floor, taking the shards with them. The cabin depressurizes, but Enodus stands his ground. Enodus brings Gray and Ahkai inside, and he makes the journey to the medbay.]
[Gray and Ahkai are now in the critical sector of the medbay. They are on life support.]
Leah: ...What will we do without them?
Enodus: Survive. But know this: they're not going to die.
Leah: How can you tell?
Enodus: Their life signs grow stronger.
Leah: Again, how can you tell?
Enodus: One: The monitor right next to your head. Two: These crystals pulse every time their hearts beat. Three: I'm keeping their minds from decaying as we speak.
Leah: ...Okay, I get it. They're not dying.
Oliver: Speaking of the crystals, do we take them out?
Leah: No! Those crystals are what's keeping their blood inside them. Don't you know anything about stab wounds?
Oliver: But these things are unstable! What if the crystals decay while they're still inside them?
Leah: If they were going to decay, they would have by now. They'll be fine.
{Samuel begins walking as he wrote down in his tablet ideas for his project.}
Hysoka: where..? Where are you going?
{Hysoka followed Samuel.}
{Samuel doesnt stop writing.}
Samuel: i think better walking.
Hysoka: so you'll be aimlessly walking through this ship?
Samuel: yes.
Hysoka: might as well walked in circles in the bridge, no?
Samuel: walking in circles gets me dizzy.
Hysoka: ...sigh... fine.
{Samuel walks by the medbays, quickly looking around, then continuing his random walking. Hysoka, on the other part, sees both Ahkai and Gray and runs towards them.}
Hysoka: AHKAI?! GRAY?! WH- WHA- WHY- THEY- WHA- YOU- IS- ARE-...
{He starts nervously babbling, somewhat panicking.}
Leah: Oh. Hello, Hysoka.
Hysoka: WHY DO YOU LOOK SO CALM..? L-LOOK AT TH- WHAT ARE THESE CRY- WILL THEY BE O- WHY IS ENOD-...
{He starts nervously throwing incomplete questions at Leah, finally stopping after some time, but breathing heavily.}
Leah: These machines are keeping them alive. We just have to wait for them to wake up.
Hysoka: ...hhhh.... hhh... hhokay... hhooo...
{He says placing a hand on his chest, walking towards Ahkai.}
Hysoka: I... I... can somehow... feel... Ahkai...
Enodus: Was she inside your mind?
Hysoka: y-yes... she even helped me remember...
Enodus: You're using the connection she left. I can walk you through using it fully, but you will have to help her.
Hysoka: I... I can help..? How..?
Hysoka: Im not even psionic..!
{He said, with a sad expression.}
Enodus: Place your hand upon her forehead. Focus on her, picture her mind. You should feel a pull, like one in a river. Follow it, but don't go too fast.
Enodus: I will act as an "anchor" of sorts, to keep you grounded.
Hysoka: Oh, o-ok...?
{He does so.}
Hysoka: I... I can feel it...
{He closes his eyes.}
Enodus: Good. Follow that connection and imagine yourself entering Ahkai's mind.
Hysoka: h-huh....
{He does so, slowly entering her mindscape...}
Enodus: Good. Now, what do you see?
Hysoka: I see... a web...
Enodus: That is Ahkai's manifestation. Search through it, and you should see a place that looks... abnormal.
Hysoka: abnormal..?
{He searches through Ahkai's mind, and finds the abnormalities. Hysoka saw it in shock...}
Hysoka: Dear lord... I... I found it...
Enodus: You should see a manifestation near it. It most likely looks like her.
Hysoka: I... I dont...
{Hysoka keeps looking around the abnormalities, not finding a single trace that looked like Ahkai outside her memories.}
Hysoka: I dont see her..! What do we do..?!
Enodus: Then she hasn't manifested. You need to find a way to make her appear. Try stimulating a memory.
Hysoka: Uhh... How... how do i... do that..? I dont want to accidentaly break something and make it somehow worse...
Enodus: Each person has their own "repair tools." Manifest yours.
Hysoka: I... I dont... hh-how..?
Enodus: It should be something that you use to repair, or build with. Think.
Hysoka: I... a computer..?
{As soon as he thought about it, a terminal of sorts manifested in front of it. He gets scared by the sudden appearance.}
Hysoka: EEK?! Jesus..!
Enodus: I assume you found your tools?
Hysoka: I... I think..? It... it looks like where i create ships..!
{He begins testing this tool.}
Hysoka: its... a memory terminal..?? I... how...
Enodus: Use that, and make a good memory stronger.
Hysoka: I... uhh... ok..?
{He begins looking around in his terminal, learning what each function does.}
Hysoka: this feels like... programming, but with memories..!
{Hysoka learns to make memories stronger.}
Hysoka: ok, now on to find a good memory...
{He finds a good memory, presented as green within his terminal.}
Hysoka: alright... and now... execute function(Boost.Memory)
{The good memory started to shine brighter.}
[Ahkai appears near the anomaly.]
Hysoka: Ahkai!
{He runs towards Ahkai's manifestation, his terminal following behind him.}
Ahkai: Hysoka? How are you here?
Hysoka: Enodus helped me reach into your mind! I needed to somehow help..!
Ahkai: The last thing I remember is... the shards. Gray got hurt too, is he okay?
Hysoka: he is holding on, just like you are. H-How can I fix this mess..?!
{He said, nervously pointing at the chaotic mesh that is the abnormalities.}
Ahkai: I...do not know. Let us try untangling it.
Hysoka: I... I dont know how... i am afraid i might somehow break something...
Ahkai: Do not be afraid. You have not broken anything thus far, am I correct?
Hysoka: I... I havent... but... i can be clumsy...
Ahkai: Most people break something in their first try with a repair tool. You did not.
Ahkai: I trust you.
Hysoka: I... You...
{A surge of determination rushed through Hysoka, which manifested as well within his memory terminal. A new function was created...}
Hysoka: h-huh..? What is this..?
Ahkai: I have not seen this before. An evolving repair tool?
Hysoka: an evolving repair tool... I dont... how am i...
{He read the function out loud.}
Hysoka: ...function (No.Clip=true/>false)..? I suppose we could give it a try..
Hysoka: ...toggling function(No.Clip=>true/false)
{The mesh's strings somehow start phasing through each other, unharmed. They begin untangling...}
Hysoka: Its.... just what we needed..! Hahaaa!
[Ahkai reaches up to grab at her head.]
Ahkai: That hurts.
[From outside the mindscape]
Enodus: Hysoka, what are you doing? The crystal is shrinking.
Hysoka: I... is it..? I am fixing the abnormalities... how are they and the crystals related..?
Enodus: I think the crystals are causing the anomalies. Whatever you're doing to it is absorbing the crystal into Ahkai's body.
Hysoka: Is... Is that bad..? AM I SOMEHOW WORSENING IT?!
{he starts panicking}
Enodus: There's...no blood. Her skin is healing as fast as the crystal fades. Keep going. This may be the way to save her.
Hysoka: Is... O-....Ok..? Sorry for panicking...
{He says, feeling somewhat embarrassed.}
Enodus: It was a reasonable reaction.
{The mesh almost completely untangles.}
Hysoka: almost there..!
[Ahkai gasps. The crystals from her body begin appearing in her manifestation, where she was hit.]
Ahkai: Ghh-- What... is happening?
Hysoka: E-EEK?! ohno ohno ohno ohno ohno....
{Hysoka started panicking. As soon as the last of the meshes untangled, he toggled the (no-clip = false) function, and ran towards Ahkai's manifestation.}
Ahkai: Get rid of them... Pull them out.
Hysoka: p-pull them out?! Wont that hurt you more?!
Ahkai: It is just a manifestation. It...hurts, but it is not real.
Hysoka: If... you say so...
{Hysoka goes up to the bigger shards first and rips them out of Ahkai's manifestation.}
Hysoka: Is it... working..?
[With each shard pulled out, Ahkai cries out in pain.]
Ahkai: I'm fine... Keep going.
Hysoka: I... I dont know how to feel about this...
{He says, pulling the smaller shards out, with each shard pulled out saying "Im sorry" or a variant of that phrase.}
Ahkai: Keep going. We will likely have to do this for Gray as well.
{Hysoka finishes pulling the last shards out of her body.}
Hysoka: th-there..! I believe that to be it..!
Ahkai: It feels normal, albeit somewhat...tingly. I am glad you could help me.
[Ahkai pulls Hysoka into an hug.]
Ahkai: ...Are you ready to go help Gray?
{Hysoka hugs back.}
Hysoka: I.... I think so... although i dont feel.... prepared... for whatever might be in Gray's mind...
Ahkai: It is merely a city. Stay close to me, and you will be fine.
Hysoka: o-ok...
Ahkai: We can use my connection to him.
Ahkai: Take my hand, and we shall begin.
{Hysoka nods, taking her hand.}
Hysoka: lets go.
[Ahkai reactivates her connection to Gray, and goes through it. Hysoka travels with her.]
{Hysoka looks around, and confirms Gray's mindscape's appearance to be that of a city.}
Ahkai: Wait. Do you feel that?
[The ground rumbles.]
Hysoka: A.... Mindquake?
Ahkai: It seems so.
[The rumbling intensifies, and a memory near them is engulfed in crystal.]
Ahkai: I...think I know what the anomaly is...
Hysoka: E-eek?!
{He quickly panicked, later looking into the crystal-engulfed memory.}
Hysoka: oh my...!
Ahkai: Your repair tool may have changed. See if you can undo that.
Hysoka: r-right..!
{He creates his memory terminal, quickly checking through his functions.}
Hysoka: I... I dont have anything possibly helpful..!
Ahkai: Then we shall find Gray. Follow me.
{Hysoka follows her.}
[They head to the center of the city, above which is a solid, blue sphere emitting large amounts of electricity.]
[Ahkai looks up at it.]
Ahkai: I do not think that is supposed to be there.
Hysoka: it... what is... that..?
Ahkai: If I am not mistaken, that is the anomaly.
Hysoka: I... I dont... What if we make Gray manifest? What if i boost a good memory?
Ahkai: He should be in the center of the city. If we make him manifest twice, it can cause problems.
Hysoka: oh, sorry, didnt think of that...
[Ahkai and Hysoka reach the city center]
Ahkai: Gray, are you here?
[Ahkai frowns when she receives no answer.]
Hysoka: how about we split..? You tell me if i should boost a memory, ok?
{Hysoka splits, trying to find Gray somewhere close.}
Hysoka: Graaay!
Ahkai: Hmm... Maybe he went inside...
[Ahkai enters the building under the anomaly.]
Ahkai: No... Hysoka, come here!
[Gray's manifestation is encased in translucent crystal.]
{Hysoka hears her and runs inside.}
Hysoka: Im here! You fo- oouuund.....
[Ahkai becomes agitated, and walks up to the crystal.]
Ahkai: Please let this work...
[Ahkai manifests her repair tools, then stabs the crystal. It starts growing around the needles, and Ahkai is forced to let go.]
Hysoka:... I dont... I... should i... I dont...
{Hysoka was starting to feel insecure.}
Ahkai: Try your repair tool again. We've found Gray, maybe it changed.
{Hysoka checks his terminal, filled with determination to find something new. Said determination is what caused a sudden spark to appear within the terminal.}
Hysoka: Wh-woah..! Function (Defrag)..?
Hysoka: executing function(Defrag)..!
{The crystals surrounding Gray seem to slowly wither...}
Ahkai: You are brilliant!
[After a few moments, Ahkai's repair tools fall to the ground. Ahkai picks them up, then makes them disappear.]
{The crystal around Gray seems to almost fully wither away. His arms and legs now free from the surrounding crystal.}
Ahkai: Keep going! He is almost free!
{The final pieces of crystal, surrounding his chest and head, finally wither away, making him fall to the ground.}
[Gray sucks in a huge breath, eyes wide. After a few moments, he speaks.]
Gray: WHAT JUST HAPPENED!?
Hysoka: Stop function(Defrag)!
{He toggled off the defrag function, to prevent further damages.}
Hysoka: Gray! Thank goodness you are ok..!
Gray: Thank you... But what are you two doing inside my head? I don't remember anything leading up to this.
Hysoka: you were badly hurt..!
{Said hysoka with a worried expression}
Hysoka: You dont remember..?
Gray: I...don't.
[Ahkai looks outside.]
Ahkai: Hysoka, some of his memories are still crystalized.
Hysoka: Are they..?
{He called in his memory terminal and reactivated function(defrag). The crystals on the memories begin to wither.}
Gray: Oh... Oh my God... Am I dead?
Hysoka: Wha- no..! You arent..!
Gray: Then... where am I? Outside, I mean.
Hysoka: med bays... you were stabbed by giant crystals...
Gray: I remember the crystals. I don't think I was awake to see the medbay.
[Gray doubles over, the crystals forming on his manifestation.]
Gray: Gahh!
Ahkai: We still have not dealt with the anomaly. Hysoka, can you help Gray while I stop the anomaly?
Hysoka: my (Defrag) works passively..! I dont know how to redirect it to a specific point..!
Ahkai: The crystals are in his manifestation. The only thing you can do is take them out by hand.
[Ahkai steps outside and faces the anomaly. It has grown bigger.]
Hysoka: I am sorry, Gray...
{Hysoka pulls out the bigger crystals out of Gray first.}
Gray: Wait WHAT--AGH!!
[The crystal comes out, partially covered in a black liquid.]
Hysoka: Im sorry! Im sor- rrryyyyyy...???
{Hysoka examines the black liquid, later throwing it away and focusing on getting the other crystals out of gray.}
Hysoka: alright, these will hurt a little less... i hope...
{He said, pulling off the smaller shards of crystal off of Gray.}
Gray: Let me see that big crystal.
[Outside the building, Ahkai focuses on the anomaly. She closes all four of her eyes, and when she opens them they are all blank white. She starts levitating, and she creates a blindingly bright arc of electricity to combat the lightning the anomaly produces.]
Hysoka: Th-that? O-ok...
{He goes up to the large crystal, still covered in that black liquid, and presents it to Gray.}
[Gray takes it from his hand, and studies it.]
Gray: Oh! It's my nanites.
[The black liquid peels off the crystal and joins with his arm.]
{Hysoka doesnt know whether to feel amazed or grossed out, his face expressing a combination of both.}
Hysoka: I uhh.... do we continue getting these crystals off of you..?
Gray: Yes, please. I don't think Ahkai can do...whatever it is she's doing alone.
Hysoka: ok, in 3.. 2.. 1..
{He pulls out a group of these smaller shards off of him.}
Gray: That tingles... Weird.
Hysoka: again, 3.. 2.. 1..
{He pulls out another handfull of shards.}
Hysoka: just one more to go... 3.. 2.. 1..
{He pulls the last handfull of shards off of Gray.}
Gray: Glad to be free of those. Let's go help Ahkai, shall we?
[Gray stands.]
Hysoka: yeah, sure.
[Gray steps outside and sees Ahkai and the anomaly trading arcs of electricity. Ahkai is being overwhelmed.]
Gray: Ahkai!
[Gray's arm shifts into a laser cannon, and Gray fired it at the anomaly. The anomaly becomes weaker, shrinking and emitting less electricity.]
{Hysoka seems to want to mimick Gray's actions, and makes his own arm cannons aswell.}
Hysoka: I-Target Locked.-I
{He said, with a semi-robotic voice, firing his own shots at the anomaly. The shots seem to have completely destroyed the anomaly.}
Gray: You already know how to do that? I didn't learn how to do that for a week!
{Hysoka stands down like a robot, his robotic eye glowing like a crosshair. He suddenly snaps out of it, going back to normal.}
Hysoka: I... I dont...
{His robotic eye turned back to its cyan blue glow.}
Hysoka: I... did that..?
Gray: You did. That was incredible.
Hysoka: I... just... I saw you do it and...
{Hysoka stops thinking about his arm cannons, and starts focusing back to Ahkai.}
Hysoka: Ahkai! Is she okay?! How is she?!
Ahkai: I am fine. You came at the right moment.
Hysoka: Hooo thank goodness...
Gray: Shall we leave the mindscape?
Hysoka: Im ready.
Gray: Good.
[Gray vanishes, and Ahkai takes Hysoka back to his own mind.]
{Hysoka suddenly wakes up with a big gasp, followed by heaving breathing for a bit of time.}
Hysoka: we are... ok, we are out...
Gray: I'm surprised we survived all that.
Hysoka: Im surprised i was actually helpful..! Hehe..! Heeeh... i am joking...
{He said, extremely nervous.}
Ahkai: It seems we have a crowd gathered.
[Ahkai gestures to Samuel, Enodus, Leah, and Oliver.]
Samuel: you had me worried there for a second, Samson...
Hysoka: heh... dont worry, Samuel...
Ahkai: That reminds me. Would you like to be called Hysoka or Samson now?
Hysoka: I... I personally dont care however you call me from these 2 names.
Samuel: you dont..?
Hysoka: naah...
Gray: That settles it. Oliver, tell West I want repairs completed and the upgrade finished. I want no outside help for it. Just our upgrade and our machinery.
Oliver: Will do.
[Oliver runs off.]
Gray: Leah, can you recalibrate the weapons and get Jade back to her post?
Leah: No problem. I'll have it done faster than you can ask again.
[Leah takes her leave, heading back to the bridge.]
Gray: And Ahkai... I'd like to meet with you and Hysoka in the Lounge again.
Ahkai: I will be there. Hysoka?
Hysoka: no outside help..? I can see why...
{Samuel seems to have remembered something, and his face looks more and more worried.}
Samuel: if you did all of that to get those crystals out... then...
{Samuel dials someone on his glasses.}
Samuel: IMMEDIATE STATUS ON FERRA. NOW.
Hysoka:... guess Samuel will be busy for now... yeah, I'll come with.
Ahkai: Thank you.
Gray: All right. Let's go.
[They make their way to the Lounge, and Gray gets some food for everybody.]
Gray: Would you like anything specific?
Hysoka: i would like some quick lemonade for now.
Ahkai: That sounds nice, actually. The same for me.
Gray: Sounds good. Coming right up.
[Gray prepares two glasses of lemonade and some sweet tea, then brings it out for everybody.]
Hysoka: thank you!
{Hysoka takes a sip of the lemonade}
Hysoka: So... what is it you wanted to talk about, gray..?
Gray: Less of a talk, and more of a small celebration. So...
[He raises his glass.]
Gray: To close calls, and to miracle workers.
{hysoka raises his glass of lemonade aswell.}
Hysoka: to close calls and miracle workers!
Ahkai: To close calls and miracle workers!
Gray: Heh. I don't know why, but... I feel like this is just the beginning of our glorious misadventures.
[The three spend their time casually chatting, until Gray gets a call.]
Oliver: The Drive has been repaired and we're preparing the upgrade.
Gray: Sounds good. Ahkai, Hysoka, would you like to head back to the bridge? We're going to start the upgrade over again.
Hysoka: Yeah, sure!
Ahkai: We should make sure we're up there before power supply stops in the Lounge.
[The three head back to the Bridge.]
{Hysoka sees Samuel nervously walking around, taking notes in his tablet to calm himself down. As soon as Samuel sees hysoka, he started walking towards him.}
Hysoka: Samuel..?
Samuel: something is horribly wrong... with Ferra... the crystals got to them...
Gray: Just when I thought it was over.
Hysoka: ....... we have to go, qui-
Samuel: I already ordered their transferring of Ferra... They will be brought here...
Gray: Is Ferra human?
Hysoka: not quite....
Samuel: some species called "crystallid"... Its hard to explain, we just need to fix them...
Hysoka: dont worry Samuel, we will do our best...
Gray: Another new species...
[Gray shakes his head and smiles.]
Gray: What am I getting my crew into?
Samuel: there is one recent addition to species list, but we will talk about those later. Right no-
{He receives a call from within his glasses.}
Samuel: one second.
{He opens the call.}
Samuel: How is Ferra? ...what? ...Gray, they are already here, and have been trying to open comms for a little bit...
Gray: Oh. Jade, what's that about?
Jade: I've been too worried about you to take any calls for you.
Gray: Rhodes, open our hangar and reroute as much power as is required to atmosphere replenishers and lights in the hangar.
Rhodes: Done. Door's opening.
Gray: Excellent. Ahkai, Hysoka, are you ready?
Hysoka: Ready!
Gray: Then, let's go.
[Gray makes his way to the Hangar, with Hysoka and Ahkai following.]
{Samuel follows as well.}
Hysoka: you're coming..?
Samuel: of course i am, i need to check Ferra's status.
Hysoka: ...mmhmm...
[They arrive in the Hangar.]
Gray: Oh. And now I feel like the construction fleet when they were sent to help us.
Ahkai: Hysoka, can you lead us to Ferra?
Samuel: hold up.
{He dials the ship's pilot again}
Samuel: ARE YOU IN THE SHIP? ...THEN OPEN THE DOOR YOU PENDEJO!
{Soon after, the ship opens its back door. Two men come out holding a bed, the bed containing Ferra, Their crystal body heavily cracked due to the higgs-crystals that shot to their body.}
Samuel: Ferra?! How did-
Hysoka: I dont reccommend you touching the higgs-crystals, Samuel.
Ahkai: They should not react like they did in Gray's mind. That was...a special case.
Hysoka: right. We should take them to the med bays, quick..!
Gray: Well, Ferra's certainly an interesting being. Comprised completely of crystal...
Ahkai: Not now, Gray. Let's go.
Gray: Right.
[They go to the medbay.]
{Hysoka and Samuel follow.}
Samuel: you can go now! Thank you for bringing Ferra!
Medic1: yeah, yeah.
Medic2: god damn Samuel is screamy...
Medic1: tell me about it...
{The medics return to their ship.}
Ahkai: I will not let anything stop me. I have placed the connection already. Luckily, people being out allows me to bypass their conscious mind.
Gray: Critical care room is right there. Place Ferra on bed 3. Hysoka, are you ready? We're going to be in completely new territory, I don't know what to expect.
Hysoka: New territory? Uhh... ok..!
Samuel: good luck, Samson...
Hysoka: ...i thought you didnt believe in luck... heh...
Samuel: you guys are making me reconsider with all of those miracles...
Hysoka: heh...
[Ahkai places her hand on what she estimates to be Ferra's forehead. The transfer immediately happens.]
Ahkai: I am ready. Form a link with me.
{Hysoka does what Ahkai told him to do.}
[In the mindscape, Ahkai opens her eyes. She sighs.]
Ahkai: That is not good. This entire mindscape is made of crystal.
Gray: We'll just have to look carefully, then.
Hysoka: oh dear... like finding a needle...
{Hysoka started looking carefully, whilst also checking if his memory terminal has any upgrades as of yet.}
Ahkai: A needle... Yes...
[She summons her repair tools.]
Gray: Isn't there a way to zero in on any consciousnesses?
Ahkai: There is, but Ferra may not be capable of manifestation. You saw how their body was.
Hysoka: Yeah...
Hysoka: come on... come on... there must be some sign...
{He says, with slowly increasing determination...}
Ahkai: This is going to take a long time.
Gray: No kidding. Searching for crystals in mountains of other crystals is not going to be easy.
Hysoka: I need... to find it! FERRA?!
{...no response from Ferra, but his memory terminal seems to have sparked soon after.}
Hysoka: Woah! What the..?
{Hysoka eagerly checks to see what function was it that he gained, only to find that he gained a command...}
Hysoka: huh..? "Command(SFC /scannow)"?
Hysoka: huh... I might as well try it out...
Hysoka: Initiate Command(SFC /scannow).
Ahkai: Hysoka, did you find something?
{From the terminal, a small, long range burst emitted. Within the terminal, a map of sorts appeared, revealing all the details about the mindscape...}
Hysoka: this... this is... just what we needed..! This will shorten the searching time by a lot..!
Ahkai: Hysoka, has your terminal changed again?
Hysoka: it has..! It emitted a small burst which expanded to make a map of sorts..! ...at least thats what im getting it does..
{he says, scratching his head.}
Hysoka: according to this, the anomalies are found here..!
{He points at some red zones within the map, which he soon starts walking towards.}
Ahkai: Gray, come with us! We have a way of finding the anomalies.
[Gray jogs over.]
Gray: Really? What's that?
Ahkai: Hysoka's terminal gained a new ability. It marks the anomalies as red dots on a map.
Gray: That is interesting.
{Hysoka, after a while, starts running towards the anomalies, finally finding them. The anomalies seemed to be somehow pertruding out of memory crystals, giving them an irregular appearance.}
Hysoka: found it, i think..!
Gray: Does that mean we need to go into the memory?
Hysoka: Yeah.... i want to try something first...
{He looked around in his terminal.}
Hysoka: Execute Function(Defrag).
{A passive aura surrounded hysoka, which expanded to reach the higgs-crystals. It started to wither them away...}
Hysoka: that's more like it..!
Ahkai: You are already more powerful in the mindscape than anyone I have seen.
Hysoka: am I...? I dont think so...
{The Defrag aura started to not only wither the higgs-crystals, but Ferra's memory crystals now. Hysoka notices and swiftly deactivates the Defrag function.}
Hysoka: wait.. is it- NOOO! END FUNCTION(Defrag)!!
Gray: Well, that's...discomforting.
Ahkai: What other commands do you have?
Hysoka: Only one, which is what lead us here. I dont know what to do...
Gray: Let me try.
[Gray raises his arm and places his palm against the crystal.]
[Veins of black ooze spread from Gray's arm around the crystal. The higgs crystals start receding, but it takes a lot of effort from Gray to maintain.]
Hysoka:....can i do that..?
{He attempts to mimick what Gray is doing with both hands, but to no avail.}
Ahkai: I believe his arm is his repair tool. Only Gray can do that.
Ahkai: Can you try to find Ferra's manifestation using yours?
Hysoka: how..? Boosting a memory.?
{He said, turning to see his terminal.}
Hysoka: or do i search for them first..?
Ahkai: Try searching first.
Hysoka: sure thing. Restarting Command(SFC/scannow).
{Hysoka began to walk around, both looking at his terminal's mind map and the mindscape itself.}
[Ahkai stays with Gray as he finishes restoring the memory.]
[When Gray finishes, the veins recede back into his arm and he stumbles back.]
Gray: I won't be able to do that repeatedly.
{Hysoka, after some time of looking around, he decided to stop and assume ferra to not be manifested.}
Hysoka: thats it. Executing function(Boost.Memory).
Ahkai: Which memory are you boosting?
Hysoka: a good one, according to the map. Lets just hope it works...
Gray: Be ready for anything. If something happens, I don't want anybody hurt.
Hysoka: of cours-
{A conglomerate of crystals, seemingly out of nowhere, all cluster near Hysoka, forming Ferra's body.}
Ferra: ...w...where... am i..? Am i... in... mind space..?
Hysoka: Ferra! Thank goodness..!
Ahkai: Hello, Ferra. I am Ahkai.
Ferra: helloo! Hehehe!
{Ferra starts childishly waving at Ahkai.}
Hysoka: you were badly hurt. We needed to get inside your mind.
Ferra: ...was I..? I dont.... I do- reme- don- I don- wa- I?- don- mbe- hell- ber- llo!-....
{Ferra's manifestation started to get distorted, cracking as higgs crystals started growing from their body.}
Hysoka: wh- EEK?!
Ahkai: Check your terminal! You are in proximity to them, you may have gotten another function.
[Gray steps closer to Ferra, ready to pull the higgs crystals out. He waits for Hysoka's command.]
Hysoka: ohdear ohdear ohdear ohdear....
{hysoka started panicking, checking their terminal for something new. It seems that there are no new commands nor functions added in.}
Hysoka:... no... nothing..! What do we do?!
Ferra: Hel- rem- llo!- I?- reme- was- llo!- hell- re- e- e- e- e- e-....
{Ferra's distortions worsened.}
Hysoka: pu- PULL THEM OUT! QUICK!
Gray: Okay, that's enough of that.
[Gray rips the largest higgs crystal out of Ferra.]
[Ahkai steps forward and levers smaller crystals out of Ferra's manifestation using her repair tools.]
Ferra: ...e- e- e- e- OWW! THAT HURTS! A LO- OW- HUR- THA- OW- W- W- W- W-....
{Ferra's distortions seemed to have stopped for a while, but went back to how it was, somewhat better than last time.}
Ahkai: Sorry, Ferra. Gray and I went through this as well.
{Hysoka runs towards Ferra, removing some of the higgs crystals aswell.}
Ferra: ...W- W- W- W- Agh! That stings!
Hysoka: sorry...
[Gray places his robotic palm on Ferra's manifestation. Black veins grow outward from Gray's arm, encircling Ferra's manifestation. The veins start slowly pulling most of the crystals out.]
Ferra: those things are weird looking..!
Hysoka: that is how Gray helps within the mindscape.
Ferra: hehe! They tickle..!
Hysoka:... how... are they tickling you...?
Gray: ...Well, as long as it doesn't hurt.
Ahkai: There is still a large shard inside Ferra. Hysoka, do you want to remove it or should I?
Hysoka: I... will do it...
{He said, grabbing the large shard in Ferra.}
Hysoka: are you... ready..?
Ferra: do it..
{Hysoka pulls the shard out of Ferra.}
Ferra: OWW..!
Hysoka: well, aint ya a big ol crystal..! Not crying a single bit..!
Ferra: am I..? Yay! Hehe!
{Ferra starts childishly clapping.}
Hysoka: that should be it here, now shouldnt it.? The higgs crystals around the memories should be withering.
{Hysoka turns around, seeing that it seems to not be the case. }
Hysoka: they... they should...
Gray: We didn't get rid of the main anomaly.
Hysoka: we havent..? Huh... hmm...
{Hysoka gains an Idea. He activates his arm cannons.}
Hysoka: I--target locked.--I
{Hysoka waits for Gray's approval.}
Hysoka: I--Awaiting Command.--I
Gray: Okay, that's not natural. Uh, do...whatever it is you want to do.
Hysoka: I--Idea: target higgs crystal pertrusions.--I
Hysoka: I--Approval: Confirmed.--I
{Hysoka carefully, yet extremely accurately, shoots down the higgs crystals on the memories.}
Gray: Now... where's the main anomaly?
[No response.]
Gray: Hysoka?
Hysoka: I--Targets terminated.--I
{his arms go back to normal.}
Hysoka: ... main anomaly..? It can get worse..?!
{He scurriedly looked throughout his terminal, activating his (SFC/scannow) function.}
Hysoka: dear lord... there is more..?!
Gray: Ahkai and I had central anomalies we had to deal with, so I assumed there is one here. It seems like I was right...
Hysoka: oh... oh dear...
{He starts walking towards where his terminal says there are more anomalies.}
[Gray and Ahkai follow.]
{The closer they walked into the epicenter of the anomaly, the more higgs crystals were on memories. They walked to a point where the perfect setup of a grid-like mindscape breaks, many memories glued together by the higgs crystals surrounding them. A big higgs crystal, being in the center of the anomaly, emitted electricity, much like what happened within Gray's mind. Hysoka stands there in shock.}
Gray: What in the world...?
Hysoka: they are... what is...
{Hysoka gains an idea.}
Hysoka: what if... aha! Toggle Function(no-clip = true)!
{The memory crystals seem to not only be set free from the higgs crystals, they were returning to their ussual spots in their grid like positions.}
Hysoka: It... its working..!
Gray: So what do we do?
{Hysoka forms his arm cannons, making the terminal hover aside. As the memories returned to their ussual positions, the higgs crystals agglomerated onto the center, making more and more strikes to come out of the anomaly.}
Hysoka: I--Awaiting command.--I
[Gray sighs.]
Gray: Take it down, I guess.
[Gray picks up a small crystal and places it inside his arm. He aims at the anomaly, and fires the crystal as a projectile.]
Hysoka: I--Approval: confirmed.--I
{Hysoka begins to shoot down the center of the anomaly.}
Ahkai: I am concerned. I do not believe Hysoka did that prior to his recovery.
Gray: It may have been from me toning down his nanites. I may have accidentally given him a permission requirement.
[Ahkai summons her repair tools, ties the string around one end of a needle, and hurls it towards the anomaly. It pierces the anomaly, and Ahkai sends a current of psionic energy through it.]
{Hysoka continues his barrage of shots.}
Ferra: is there... some way... i can help... myself..?
Ahkai: It depends on what your repair tool is. Hysoka, help Ferra manifest it. Gray and I can keep the anomaly down.
Hysoka: I--Order: received.--I
{He stands down, going back to normal.}
Hysoka: ...Ferra. you need to manifest your repair tools.
Ferra: but... how do i do that..?
Hysoka: just... think of something that... helps you in someway or another..!
Ferra: I'll try...
{Ferra focuses... they search within the depths of their mind...}
Ferra: I... I... repair... With...
{Her left arm turns into what seems to be a miniature crystallized version of a lathe.}
Ferra: Woah..!
Hysoka: you did it!
[Gray switches from firing crystal projectiles to firing energy bolts.]
[The bolts stopped having an effect.]
{Hysoka goes back to firing his shots towards the anomalous center.}
Hysoka: Ferra! Use your tool! I--Target locked.--I
{He said, his robotic eye suddenly turning back into a red crosshair.}
Gray: Really? The anomaly evolves too?
[Gray's arm shifts again, this time into a gatling cannon. It starts peppering the anomaly with smaller energy bolts, and it begins having an effect again.]
{The center of anomaly grows what seems to be a single red eye, of similar fashion to that of Ferra's eyes. Ferra gets startled.}
Hysoka: I--Updating target priority: Eye.--I
{Hysoka began to target the anomaly's eye.}
Gray: Ahkai, are you seeing that?
Ahkai: I see it. It became an eye.
[Ahkai pulls the needle out of the anomaly and makes the needle grow into a spear. She throws the spear, impaling the eye. She sends the psionic energy through the string attached.]
Ferra: set mode: deconstruct!
{They said, their lathe visibly reconfiguring. They fire the lathe's laser at the anomaly. Whatever within that laser's range gets reduced into basic particles.}
Ferra: its working! Yay!! Hehe!
[Gray changes his arm into a blade and an exo. He jumps and slashes repeatedly at the eye.]
Ferra: Gray! You are almost getting in the way of my-
{She moves the laser away, accidentally hitting hysoka.}
Ferra: oh no..! Hysoka! Are yo-
{Hysoka suddenly aims at Ferra, having a blank expression, almost empty. His robotic eye had a red crosshair still.}
Hysoka: I--Target priority update.--I
Ferra: H-hysoka?!
Hysoka: I--Awaiting Command.--I
Ferra: Hysoka, stop! It was an acciden-!
Hysoka: I--Awaiting Command.--I
Ahkai: Hysoka, no! Stand down!
[Ahkai stops destroying the anomaly and gets between Hysoka and Ferra.]
Hysoka: I--Dissapproval: Conf-f-f-f- --I
{Hysoka snaps out of it, his eye going back to his normal cyan glow. He looks at his arm, aiming at Ahkai, protecting Ferra.}
Hysoka: I... I...
{He looks at his hands in shock.}
Hysoka: I... am a monster...
[The anomaly hits Gray with the lightning, throwing him back.]
Gray: Gahh!
[Gray struggles to get up, his arm smoking.]
Hysoka: F..Ferra..
Ferra: [sniff]... Hysoka...
{Ferra backs off from Hysoka. Hysoka stops trying to approach them, and looks down to the floor with an empty, yet sad expression.}
Hysoka: I... I am... a machine...
Ahkai: You are not a monster, Hysoka. You become strangely robotic at times, though. I would like to take a look at your mind after this is done. Is that alright?
Hysoka: I... hhh... whats the point..?
{He said, looking down at nothing.}
Ahkai: The point is, there may be something going on with your memories from being a drone. I want to make sure everything is okay.
[Gray taps into his latent psionic energy and transforms his arm into a large rail cannon. It starts charging, growing a projectile inside the barrel.]
Hysoka: I dont mean that... i mean... whats the point...?
{Said hysoka, his robotic eye turning from its normal cyan to a deep blue.}
Ahkai: I do not understand.
Gray: I need someone's help over here!
[The anomaly has grown back, and is actively trying to kill Gray. It's spewing lightning in his direction, and Gray keeps dodging as much as he can.]
Hysoka: I...
{Hysoka's eye slowly fades to a passionately shining red, later turning into a different crosshair. He slowly turned onto the anomaly, his expression looking empty, yet angry. He lifts his arm, towards the direction of the anomaly. His arm didnt turn into a mere cannon...}
Hysoka: I==ANNIHILATION BEAM: ONLINE.==I
{He informed. He did not require permission to shoot, as his anger overrided that requirement.}
Hysoka: I==CURRENT OBJECTIVE: EXTERMINATE.==I
{A destructive beam directed towards the anomaly was shot, completely destroying it the moment it touched the beam.}
Meanwhile, at the CMC:
CMC: Hmm. Now we should test if I can do it at high powers....
CMC: Hey, Alex, just a fair warning, i'm gonna fire a Psionic beam out to space. By calculations, it should just go out to space, but be warned anyway.
CMC: 5 seconds.
CMC: 3
CMC: laser fires
The laser fires with less velocity than expected, but appears to be being affected by gravity wells.
Suddenly....
The laser hits the Endurance with full-power.
CMC: CRAP! NO!
CMC: Well, anyone inside the endurance has just been buffed, like, a couple of magnitudes more powerful.
CMC: Uhh..... we expected that to go out into space.... lesser energies had a growth of velocity and mass we were expecting... Hmm...
CMC: Maybe something to do with extreme energy?
{Meanwhile, within the mindscape...}
Gray: What was that!?
Ahkai: Gray, be quiet.
Ahkai: Hysoka, are you okay?
[Ahkai brings Hysoka into an embrace. She holds him there for a few seconds.]
{Hysoka scurries his way out of Ahkai's embrace, still not snapping out of it. He aims his beam at Ahkai as a warning.}
Hysoka: I==STAND BACK.==I
Ahkai: Please, tell me if you are okay. A simple yes or no would suffice.
Hysoka: I==STA-AN-N-ND BA-ACK.==I
{His robotic eye flickers.}
[Ahkai steps back.]
Ahkai: Answer me!
[Ahkai reaches back, and her repair tools unmanifest. At a moment's notice, they can be summoned again.]
Hysoka: I==S- S- S- BA- C-C- TAN- D-==I
{Hysoka starts malfunctioning, before finally snapping out of it. His eye goes back to its cyan glow.}
Hysoka: ...Ahkai..?
{He sees himself aiming at her, and instantly turns his arm back to normal.}
Hysoka: oh... oh no...
[Ahkai runs over.]
Ahkai: I can help.
[She returns to Hysoka's mind, taking Hysoka along with her.]
Gray: Well... That happened.
Ahkai: Hysoka, look at this! You have manifested the Endurance.
{Hysoka seems to have not heard her, still shocked by the fact that he aimed at her.}
[Ahkai sighs.]
Ahkai: Then I guess I will have to help him on my own.
[Ahkai drags Hysoka into the Endurance and is greeted by each room being a new memory, or multiple memories.]
[Ahkai goes to operation room 3, reasoning the memory of Ferra's mindscape is in there.]
[Ahkai looks at the memory. It is glowing red and shows Hysoka aiming her cannons at Ahkai on loop.]
Ahkai: Hysoka, I need you with me on this. I cannot help you without you being beside me!
{hysoka seems to have not heard her. The memory haunts his mind...}
[Ahkai meshes her conscience with Hysoka's, then enters the memory.]
[Ahkai/Hysoka appears behind Hysoka, at the beginning of this memory. Hysoka is about to act robotic and destroy the anomaly.]
Ahkai: <Hysoka, listen to my voice. Do you see this?>
Hysoka: I... see... it... and... i... hate... it...
Hysoka: I... see... it... and... i... hate... it...
Ahkai: <I need you to notice something. You suddenly change, as if you have another personality.>
{As soon as it gets to that part, it suddenly skips to when he was aiming Ahkai.}
Ahkai: <Is that really the only thing you can focus on?>
[Ahkai manifests her tools and stabs the "ground" in the memory. She then gains manual control over the memory, and what it shows.]

Hysoka's memory

{Hysoka's eye slowly fades to a passionately shining red, later turning into a different crosshair. He slowly turned onto the anomaly, his expression looking empty, yet angry. He lifts his arm, towards the direction of the anomaly. His arm didnt turn into a mere cannon...}
Hysoka: I==ANNIHILATION BEAM: ONLINE.==I
{He informed. He did not require permission to shoot, as his anger overrided that requirement.}
Hysoka: I==CURRENT OBJECTIVE: EXTERMINATE.==I
{A destructive beam directed towards the anomaly was shot, completely destroying it the moment it touched the beam.}

[close]

{Hysoka sees that memory but refuses to deny his "monster" status.}
Ahkai: <Look closer.>
[Ahkai rewinds it to when Hysoka first becomes robotic.]

Hysoka's memory, again

Hysoka: I==ANNIHILATION BEAM: ONLINE.==I

[close]

Ahkai: <Did you see it?>
{Hysoka sees it. He starts weeping, tears running down his organic eye.}
Hysoka: Y-yes.....
Ahkai: <Then you know it was not you. Come help me fix it.>
[Ahkai raises her hand, waiting for Hysoka to take it.]
{He takes her hand, his being somewhat shaky.}
Ahkai: Thank you.
[Ahkai takes Hysoka out of the memory, and into the mental battlefield. Ahkai looks for any that are damaging Hysoka's mind, and she zeroes in on one.]
[Ahkai enters the memory. She sees Hysoka receiving the "upgrades" from the Collective.]
{She can see how they completely and simply sawed his limbs off, replacing them with robotic counterparts.}
{Hysoka, remembering that, starts silently crying.}
Ahkai: Hysoka, I-- I am so sorry you had to go through this.
[Ahkai notices the Collective surgeon acting strangely, moving irregularly as if the memory had ruptured and been damaged.]
[Ahkai summons her tools and stabs the surgeon.]
{Hysoka starts malfunctioning.}
Hysoka: Why... what... is... I--happening...--I
[Ahkai knows tampering with memories is a dangerous thing to do, but right now she is more concerned about saving her friend. She sends a psionic pulse through the needles, erasing the surgeon's presence and rebuilding it from scratch. Ahkai does this all with tears in her eyes.]
Ahkai: I'm so sorry...
[Ahkai rebuilds the surgeon's presence, and while she does it she looks for any irregularities. When she finds any, she erases the surgeon again and starts over.]
Hysoka: Ahkai... stop... r... I-+-run..-×-I
{He says, a crosshair growing on his eye, his voice glitched, but robotic.}
Ahkai: Hysoka!
[She quickly restores the surgeon's presence and withdraws her tools. She then holds them in a defensive posture, ready to redirect attack Hysoka makes.]
Ahkai: Stay strong, Hysoka. You can fight this.
Hysoka: Ah...kai... p-please... I-÷-run...-+-I
{He unwantedly turns one arm into a cannon. He tries to stop it by grabbing it with the other hand.}
Hysoka: I-÷+-Please..÷+run...+×÷--I
{His voice turned increasingly glitchy.}
Ahkai: I am not leaving you.
[Ahkai points her needles at Hysoka, creating a burst of psionic energy. It surged toward Hysoka, and Ahkai maintained it in an attempt to stabilize him.]
Hysoka: NO- I--IMMINENT THREAT DETECTED.--I
{his both hands unwantedly aim at Ahkai, not shooting yet.}
I--SURRENDER, OR FACE TERMINATION.--I
[Ahkai forces Hysoka's consciousness into a shared space, along with the troublesome memory. Here, Hysoka calls upon her full power once again. A wave of psionic energy surges from her and into the empty space, creating constructs meant to contain him.]
Hysoka: I--AWAITING COM×-+M×-+M÷- APPROVAL: CONFIRMED.--I
{Hysoka begins to destroy the construct meant to contain him.}
Ahkai: NO!
[She summons her tools and advances, the tips of the needles sparking like tesla coils. She aims one at Hysoka and the energy is released in a giant laser of psionic energy.]
{Hysoka swiftly calls in his annihilation beam, which countered against her psionic laser.}
Hysoka: I==CURRENT OBJECTIVE: EXTERMINATE.==I
[Ahkai mentally communicates with Gray.]
Ahkai: Gray, I need help. Hysoka has succumbed to the Hydraxil drone from his memories, but I can fix it. I just need you to hold him off long enough for me to fix the memory.
[Gray immediately manifests, disappearing from Ferra's mindscape.]
Gray: I won't let you down.
[Gray's arm shifts erratically, then forms the curved blade he prefers.]
Gray: You want to kill her!? You're gonna have to get through me!
Hysoka: I==IMM××NE+÷ AWAITING COM+÷××+ APPROVAL CONF××÷ EXTERMINATE.==I
{He makes his other arm into another annihilation beam, focusing on Gray this time.}
[Ahkai turns around to repair the memory.]
[Gray just barely deflects it using his blade and advances, sprinting forward.]
Hysoka: I== AW+×÷ EXTERMINATE. APPRO÷×+ EXTERMINATE. ×÷ EXTERMINATE. +×÷ EXTERMINATE.==I
{Hysoka focused entirely on Gray.}
[Right before Gray gets within striking range of Hysoka, he jumps, sailing over him. He quickly turns around and attacks from behind.]
{Hysoka swiftly forms a sword himself and blocks his attack}
Hysoka: I==EN××÷EM+÷+Y+÷×EXTERMINATE+÷==I
[Gray strikes Hysoka with his knee, hitting his stomach before breaking off and returning to his position between him and Ahkai.]
Hysoka: I==COMBAT PA+×÷×MEMORIZ+×+ EXTER+××==I
{Hysoka now mimicks Gray's moves.}
[Ahkai works frantically with the memory, glancing back at the fight ensuing every so often. She has one fourth of the surgeon regenerated correctly so far.]
[Gray modifies his arm, and points it into the air. It fires off multiple projectiles. These projectiles soar into the dark abyss above, and they come down on Hysoka at blazing speeds.]
Hysoka: I==COMB-A-A+÷× MEMORI+++÷ EXT+××÷NATE-E-E-E==I
{Hysoka memorizes Gray's actions, and watches carefully, allowing him to dodge beautifully the incoming projectiles}
Hysoka: I==ABSOLUTE THREAT+×÷×+ EXTER+×÷NATE-E-E==I
[Gray brings his arm partly down, aiming it at Hysoka. It shifts again, and the barrel glows for a split second before firing off an unbroken beam of pure energy towards Hysoka.]
{Hysoka almost instantly converts an arm into an annihilation beam, countering with Gray's beam of energy.}
Hysoka: I==ANNIHI-I-I+×÷+MEMORI-I-I+×÷+×SURREND-D-D+×÷×MINA-ATE==I
[Gray breaks it off, opting for a different approach. His arm shifts to become an exo and a straight blade, and Gray rushes Hysoka. Gray moves diagonally, to avoid being targeted and fired upon. Once he reaches Hysoka, he slashes his blade upwards.]
[Gray's anger towards the cyborg in front of him grows the longer he is locked in combat with him. He gets stronger over time, but he gets more and more reckless.]
Hysoka: I==MEM-MEM-MEM+×÷+RIZED-D-D+×÷++RESISTAN+×÷+FUTILE+×÷==I
{Hysoka learned how to create an exo-suit simply by watching Gray do it. He memorized Gray's attack pattern and blocks all of his attacks.}
[Gray's eyes seem to glow with anger. He shifts his arm again, this time making it form a weapon identical to an Arc Caster. He pulls the trigger and holds it down. It produces arcs of electricity, nearly unpredictable in their movements.]
Hysoka: I==YOU+×÷+WOULD×÷+××BE×+÷A+×÷VALUABLE××÷+ADDITION+×÷TO+×÷THE+×÷COLLECTIVE+×÷==I
{Taunted Hysoka, improvising a discharger-like construct with both arms, hunting down the arcs as he ran backwards.}
[Enraged, Gray pushes forward.]
Gray: You think I would join the Collective!? AFTER WHAT THEY DID!? AFTER WHAT HAPPENED TO ME!?
[Gray's arm shifts again into a blade again. He rushes Hysoka, jumping early again. He lands on top of Hysoka this time, and his arm shifts into an oversized hammer. He flips backwards, attempting to slam the blunt surface into Hysoka.]
Hysoka: I==COLLECTIVE+×÷+JOINING+×÷×NOT AN+×÷OPTION+×==I
{Hysoka creates jetpacks of sorts, which helped him get away from Gray and strafe from afar.}
Gray: HOW PATHETIC. YOU THINK I CARE!
[Gray does the same, rising up and beelining towards Hysoka.]
I==JUST+×÷LIKE+×÷I CARE+×÷+ ABOUT+×÷+ YOUR DEAD+×÷+CIVILIZATION?+×÷+==I
{Hysoka launches quick cannon bolts whilst getting away.}
Gray: Oh, you are DEAD!!!
[Gray supercharges his jetpack and reaches Hysoka just over the time it takes to blink. He slams the blunt end of the hammer into Hysoka with all of his strength put behind the strike.]
Hysoka: I==COMBA-==I
{The hammer reaches his back, completely destroying the jetpack, making hysoka fall to the floor.}
Hysoka: I==÷+×÷+×+×÷+÷+÷×+÷+÷+÷×==I
{Hysoka seems to be stunned on the floor due to hit on the back.}
[Gray lands, and his arm shifts into his preferred blade. Blinded by his rage, he prepares to strike Hysoka down.]
Hysoka: I==÷×+÷++×÷×+÷RIZED.==I
{Hysoka quickly regenerates his jetpack and learns to supercharge it with what he knew. Hysoka flees.}
Gray: GET BACK HERE!!!
[Gray creates a jetpack of his own and gives chase.]
Hysoka: I==YOU EITHER+×÷×YOUR CIVIL+×÷×TION+÷×EADY+÷+ECTIVE+×÷÷×==I
{Hysoka said, taunting Gray even further as he ran.}
[Gray's arm shifts back into an arm and Gray falls. He constructs a giant exosuit from it as he falls, and when he lands he is encased in a massive suit of nanite-reinforced titanium armor. The armor moves just as fast as he does, and he forms a gatling gun from one hand of the armor. The gun starts spinning, and Gray aims it at Hysoka. The gun spews hundreds of bolts per second.]
[Ahkai is three-fourths of the way to completely repairing the memory.]
{Hysoka starts mocking his aiming by swiftly circling around it.}
Hysoka: I==COM+×÷×RIZED.
AIMING+×÷×QUESTIONABLE+×÷+LIKE+×÷+SURVIVAL CHANCE+×÷×+==I
{He says, circling around him, making quick shots of his annihilator beam towards Gray.}
[Gray is too furious to speak coherently. Even if he wasn't, his response couldn't be heard through his armor. The shots deflect off the armor without so much as a dent, and Gray locks his sight on Hysoka. Forming a laser cannon of his own, he gets into a stable stance. He raises the cannon arm and fires a beam that would rival the CMC Planetoid's Exajoule Laser. The shared mindscape quakes from the sheer ferocity of the blast.]
{Hysoka just barely dodges the beam.}
I==MEM-MEM-+÷×RIZED+÷××==I
{Hysoka fakes being hit, crashing purposefully on the ground, making a leg look as if he's been hit, faking being hurt.}
[Gray approaches Hysoka and morphs his armor back into his arm. He creates a standard firearm from his Earth out of his arm and prepares to pull the trigger.]
I==Gray+÷÷+ENEMY+×÷+Kill me...+×÷+==I
{Hysoka fakes "being freed" to see his reaction.}
I==KILLING HE WHO YOU ARE TRYING TO SAVE...+÷×+÷×Free me from this curse already!÷×+==I
[Ahkai glances back and sees what is transpiring.]
Ahkai: NOOO!!
[She reaches out with one of her tools and fires a beam of energy at Gray, sending him away from Hysoka and knocking him prone.]
Hysoka: I==Ahkai?+×÷+×YOUR STUPIDITY WILL+×÷×+CAUSE YOUR DEMISE+÷×+×Just let me die! Its worthless!+÷××==I
{Hysoka keeps going with his mind games.}
[Ahkai pauses her efforts on restoring the memory in favor of keeping Gray from killing Hysoka.]
[When she steps away from it, it is easily seen that she was almost finished.]
Hysoka: I==Ahkai...+÷×+FOOL+×÷×you idiot...==I
{Hysoka swiftly activates his arm cannon, shooting at Ahkai's creation, partially destroying it. He resumes his fleeing.}
[Ahkai fires a beam from her tool that knocks Hysoka to the ground.]
[Gray begins to change.]
[The CMC's psionic beam catalyzes the crystals and Gray transforms. Crystals break his skin in various places, most notably above his left shoulder blade. The crystal growing there extends several inches. His cybernetic arm is enveloped in crystal. His boots tear, revealing digitigrade three-toed talons. His nails crystallize, and his legs both audibly break as they snap into a new digitigrade form. One of his eyes turns crystalline, becoming reflective. The crystal pokes out around his eye, overlapping part of his eyebrow, next to his eye, and his cheekbone. The transformation halts, but it is not done.]
Hysoka: I==AAAAAAAAA==I
{The beam seems to have affected Hysoka aswell. The lost progress of Ahkai's work reconstructs.}
[Gray slowly gets up. He is clearly unsteady, and he cannot manipulate his arm in his current state. Ahkai shoots him down again.]
Ahkai: Both of you, stay down!
[Ahkai turns back to the memory and finishes the restoration.]
Hysoka: I==IMPOSS+×÷++÷×+×÷==I
{Hysoka stands there, expression lost, as if nobody is in him anymore...}
I-- ÷×+÷×+ --I
{His voicebox becomes decreasingly glitched, until he finally snapped out of it}
Hysoka: ...[GASP]!!
{Hysoka begins breathing heavily, half crying.}
[Ahkai walks over to Hysoka and kneels next to him.]
Ahkai: This was not your fault. This was the Collective again.
Hysoka: I... I...
{He falls to the floor, assumes fetal position, and tries counting all the way up to 100 to calm himself down.}
[Ahkai holds Hysoka close. Ahkai's connection to Hysoka remains, and she uses it to share the burden of Hysoka's emotions.]
Hysoka: Grayisgonnakillme Grayisgonnakillme Grayisgonnakillme......
{He kept repeating to himself, basically accepting fate from where he was.}
Ahkai: Gray will not touch you.
Hysoka:.... GRAYISGONNAKILLME GRAYISGONNAKILLME GRAYISGONNAKILLME....
{That seems to have made it worse...}
[Gray stands up and turns around.]
Ahkai: Oh my... Hysoka, do not open your eyes. I will make you awaken, okay?
{Hysoka wasnt planning to do so either, so he just nods.}
Ahkai: In 3... 2... 1...
[Ahkai presses her hand against Hysoka's forehead. He wakes.]
{Hysoka wakes up with a big gasp. He wakes up, only to see himself levitating off of the bed. His organic eye was glowing.}
Hysoka: E-EEK?!
{Soon after, his organic eye stops glowing, shortly falling back down to the bed.}
Hysoka: OWW.!
Ahkai: ...Gray?
Gray: Ψhατ?
Ahkai: Are you alright?
Gray: Nδ. I fεll fδr his τricκs. Hε gδτ iηsidε my hεαd ψiτhδμτ εvεη τryiηg. Aηd τhεη... This.
[He raises his arm and taps his crystalline eye.]
Gray: I'm scαrεd τδ imαgiηε ψhατ my bδdy lδδκs liκε.
Ahkai: I am sure it will be fine.
Gray: Iτ ψδη'τ bε. I ψill εηd μρ bεcδmiηg τhis, εvεητμαlly, if ηδτ αs sδδη αs I ψακε.
Ahkai: I will remain by your side, no matter what.
Gray: Yδμ αrε lyiηg. Yδμ hμrτ mε.
Ahkai: I did so to keep you from hurting Hysoka.
Gray: Dδ ηδτ sαy his ηαmε!
Ahkai: Fine. When will you wake?
Gray: I...dδ ηδτ κηδψ. I ψill εχiτ my miηd δf my δψη vδliτδη.
[Gray disappears and reappears inside his own mindscape. Ahkai sighs and wakes herself up.]
{As Ahkai wakes up, she finds Hysoka testing his newgained psionic handling.}
Ahkai: You...have psionic abilities now?
Hysoka: Yes! Its amazing!
{His worrying about Gray wanting to kill him seems to be completely gone.}
Ahkai: How is Ferra doing?
Hysoka: they arent here, but im sure they are ok!
Ahkai: We were beside them...
[Worried, Ahkai gets out of the bed she was very awkwardly placed in.]
Hysoka: I'll go with you!
{Says hysoka, seemingly gleefully. It seems he is too focused on thinking about his new psionic handling.}
Ahkai: I am glad you are having fun...
[Ahkai goes back to the room Ferra was placed in.]
{Ferra could be seen hugging Samuel, who didnt seem to feel alright.}
Samuel: hhhh.... Ferr...rra...
Ferra: Samuel, Im right here, whats wrong...?
{His eyes could be seen glowing almost like a flashlight. A strong aura of psionic energy surrounded him, although not visible.}
Ahkai: Samuel, you... What happened while I was away?
Ferra: Samuel seems sick..! As i woke up and left you guys there, i went out and saw him on the floor..!
Samuel: H...hhh.... help...
{He drops to the ground. He begins to look... "blurry".}
Samuel: What... is... hap-
{almost instantly, he appears somewhere else within the room, seemingly crashing to the wall.}
Samuel: -penning...?
[Ahkai gasps.]
Ahkai: Teleportation? How?
[Before anyone could respond, Ahkai stopped and clutched her head.]
Ahkai: Agh...
Samuel: N-...no...
{He did the same thing, somewhat controlling it better. He appeared somewhat in front of Ahkai.}
Samuel: I... huff... believe it to... be some... sort of... psionic... hyperspeed... huff...
[In the Bridge, Enodus loses control. He releases an animalistic yell, and begins floating in a tornado of psionic energy. It manifests as lightning around him. Leah takes initiative and grabs the Arc Caster she keeps beside her. She shoots Enodus, dropping him instantly. She checks his pulse, then tries to contact Gray. When she doesn't get an answer, she calls Ahkai.]
Leah: Enodus just lost it again. I dropped him with an Arc Caster. He's still alive, but I can't move him.
Ahkai: I will be there in a few minutes. There are other matters down here I need to attend to.
Samuel: It is... tiring... and... hard to... control... fo-
{He did it again, crashing against another wall, this time being next to Ferra.}
Samuel: oww...
Ferra: AHH! Samuel! Dont scare me like that..!
Samuel: I know not... how to control... it...
Hysoka: wait... so you are-
{He remembers something, which makes his expression turn into that of shock.}
Hysoka: you are... like that lizardwoman that tried to kill me..! The same power..!
Ahkai: Control will come with time. If you will excuse me, I need to go wake Gray.
Hysoka: err... how about... not now..?
{He said, somewhat scared...}
[Ahkai steps into the next room.]
Hysoka: wai- oh no... i need to go...
Ferra: Why?
Hysoka: its Gray... i did some really bad things while i was in the mindscape...
Ferra: but why?
Hysoka: I dont know...
Ferra: but... why?
Hysoka: stop..!
Ferra: hehehe!
Hysoka: im not joking...
[In the next room]
Ahkai: Gray.
[Ahkai places her hand on his forehead.]
Ahkai: It is time to wake up. You have a ship to run.
[Gray opens his eyes, and very slowly gets himself out of bed.]
Ahkai: I told you you would not change.
[Gray examines himself.]
Gray: It appears so.
[Gray steps out of the room and begins the walk back to the bridge.]
{Hysoka, also walking to the bridge, sees Gray, but tries so he doesnt see him.}
Ferra: watcha doing?
Hysoka: EEK-
{he covers his mouth}
[Gray stops and turns around.]
Gray: Hysoka.
Hysoka:...Gray..?
{He stood there, completely frozen.}
Gray: It would be best not to test me. I am not happy.
[Gray turns around and continues to the Bridge, where he enters his quarters.]
Hysoka: ok...{he slowly walked away.}
Ferra:...whats wrong..?
Hysoka: I.... I just... I want to... just get out of here...
Ferra: why..?
Hysoka: I just... can you ask Gray to teleport us back to the surface or something..?
Ferra: I can do that..!
Hysoka: thank you Ferra...
Ferra: no problem!
{Ferra hovers towards the bridge.}
[Ahkai walks around Hysoka, stopping.]
Ahkai: What troubles you?
Hysoka: I just... need to go home... forget all of this...
Ahkai: Why is that?
Hysoka: what do you mean "why is that"...? Are you forgetful..?
{He said, somewhat angry, yet mostly sad.}
Ahkai: Hysoka, you saved our lives. I can never thank you enough, and as much as Mr. Dark-and-Brooding over there denies it, he feels the same.
Hysoka: I almost killed him... i mean, not myself, but...
Hysoka: worst part is... I remember... everything...
{He forms the annihilation beam, although not charging it. Only demonstrating it.}
Ahkai: Gray is resilient. He would have kept throwing things at you, making you, it, adapt and adapt.
Hysoka: It was not me..! If you wouldnt have finished... what would have happened then..?!
Ahkai: If I was not involved, and it was just it and him fighting, they would still be no closer to beating each other. I do not like gambling, and even I would bet on it being that way.
Hysoka: I... even with... I still... i feel...
{He doesnt know what to say, still feeling sad from the mental events.}
Ahkai: Just remember. It was not your fault.
Ahkai: Before you go... Do not worry about Gray. The only grudge he will hold is against the Collective.
Hysoka: I... I dont think i can ever make eye contact with him ever again...
Hysoka: I... I taunted him with the death of his civilization..! Do you know how horrible i feel now..?!
Ahkai: Like you said, it was not you. Gray knows that.
Hysoka: like, i know, but..!
Hysoka: I just... i need to... i need to rest...
Ahkai: Would you like to use a room here?
Ahkai: We have a spare room in the Bridge.
Hysoka: I... sure...
Hysoka: wait... in the bridge..? Arent there... any more other than that..?
{He says, somewhat shaky, thinking about Gray still wanting to kill him...}
Ahkai: We have three spares in the Bridge, and all of the quarters throughout the ship are empty. You could even rest in the lounge, if you want. We have power back.
Hysoka: I'll... just take a room in the quarters...
Ahkai: Alright. Should I tell Ferra and Samuel where you are?
Hysoka: yeah, sure...
Ahkai: Okay.
[Ahkai turns to leave.]
Call for me in your mind if you need me. I will hear you.
Hysoka: Ok..? I think i know what you mean..
{Hysoka walks towards the quarters.}

[close]

OOC

Please let me know if anything is wrong with it.

[close]

[TripleKings]

Yet another copy-over from the Discord. I apologize for the long wait.

(Obligatory size warning)

Copy-over

[Ahkai arrives at the Bridge.]
Ahkai: Ferra, Samuel, Hysoka is resting in one of our passenger rooms for the time being.
Ferra: wasnt he- ...ok..?
Samuel: wasnt he what?
Ferra: wanting to leave..?
Samuel: i dont know about that. I havent spoken to him ever since he left the mind-world of yours and i became erratic.
Ahkai: I spoke with him. He will call me when he is ready.
Samuel: noted.
Ferra: ok!
Gray: I'll be in my quarters. Ahkai is in command for now.
[Gray exits the Bridge and enters his quarters.]
Ferra: ...Is... something wrong with him..?
Ahkai: What happened in the mindscape was...troubling for him, to say the least.
Ferra: hysoka told me he did mean things... but he didnt want to do it... what happened to him..?
Ahkai: The Collective still had a hold on him that I did not notice until it was too late. He became one of them, and he and Gray fought while I healed him.
Ferra: he..?
Samuel: I did calculate a margin of error inviting a hydraxil to our grou-
Ferra: now is not the time, Samuel!
Ahkai: It is more complicated than what you are thinking. Hysoka was fighting it the entire time, Gray was only supposed to keep him away from me while I worked.
Samuel: mmhmm.
Ferra: i know hysoka isnt a meanie... i always knew as soon as i saw him..!
[The air on the bridge seemed to get heavier for a brief moment, the psionically active amongst them able to hear the faintest of melody; a soothing song, growing and flowing throughout the ship from an unknown source. It sounded distant, but getting closer.]
Ferra: what is-.... [GASP]!!
Samuel: what is... happening..?
Ahkai: Is that...music?
[Enodus seems to be the most affected by it. He reaches out with his mind, and forms a weak connection with the source.]
Enodus: <Who are you?>
Ferra: hehehe! Yes it is!
Samuel: why... what is...
{Samuel seems to somewhat dislike it.}
???: <...it is time, for us to meet... I can feel your power... it is unlike any I have encountered before...>
{Through the windows, some can see the CMC planet engines heating up. No thrust, but ready to begin thrusting at any moment.}
[Hyperspace warnings went off around the bridge suddenly, interrupting the soothing melody.]
Jade: Hyperspace signatures inbound!
Leah: Preparing weapons.
Enodus: Stand down. That is whoever caused the music.
Leah: Ahkai?
Ahkai: I...do not know. Enodus, are you sure?
Enodus: I am.
Ahkai: Okay. Leah, keep the weapons primed, but wait for the arrivals to make hostile movements.
Ferra: hehehe! Hehe- aww...
Samuel: do you know about what just happened..?
{Samuel gets a call within his glasses }
Samuel: ugh, what does Alex want now..?
{He walks away, picking up the call.}
[Jade turns off the alarm.]
Enodus: <I await your arrival.>
[A hyperspace aperture opened nearby, a massive crystalline object dropping back into normal space. Its arms shimmered in the starlight as two smaller crystalline objects exited it, halting shortly before the Endurance.]
Samuel: we know of the hyperspace signatures, Alex.
Alex: its not that. You might want to let Ferra see whats out there.
Samuel: ...noted.
Alex: just informing.
{Alex hangs up.}
{The CMC particle hole, even without buffs, is able to tell that there's a large psionic signature - and it certainly isn't Enodus's}
{The CMC fires a 10-EJ blast. It hits the Particle hole. }
[The comm system was quickly tapped by the entities, allowing them to greet their new acquaintances.]
???: Greetings... I am Prismatic Placid Flare, leader of the Crystallid Convergence... this is my second-in-command, Observant Cobalt. We come in peace.
Jade: They've entered the system. Three objects, two of average size and one rivalling the Endurance.
Leah: Weaponry on standby. Ahkai, let me know, and I can light them up.
Ahkai: Alright.
[Ahkai and Enodus both stare out the window, eyes locked on the crystal ship.]
Ferra: Prismatic! She is here, she is here, she is here!
{Said Ferra, going all around the place.}
Enodus: I am Enodus. I believe I made contact with you prior to your arrival?
Flare: Yes... in the brief exchange, I could tell you were the one who alerted us. Your potential is impressive, and is something I have never encountered in organic species.
Cobalt: And, you know, we were worried the source might be hostile. We needed to make sure.
{Alex joins the comm channel}
Alex: so... the crystallids, huh?
{CMC joins the comms channel}
CMC: Finally, got in.
CMC: ... Crystallids? Haven't seen you in a while....
[Enodus chuckles.]
Enodus: I'm flattered.
Ahkai: I am Ahkai, co-captain of the Endurance. My fellow officers are Enodus, Rhodes, Oliver, West, Jade, and Leah. The captain, Gray, is currently busy, so I am taking his place.
Flare: It is a pleasure to meet you all... I can feel many active minds here. Unusual...
Cobalt: Say, you don't happen to have a hangar or cargo bay we could meet in, do you? I think it's better to talk face to face.
Ahkai: We have an adjustable hangar you can use. Oliver, extend the Hangar in case the pilot of the largest vessel wants to dock.
[Oliver twists a dial and presses a few buttons.]
Oliver: The Hangar is adjusting. It will take a few minutes to reach the size of the largest vessel.
Alex: Id be pleased to meet you personally as well. Ahkai..? You can teleport people, right?
Ahkai: I cannot. I do not know of any person who can teleport people or objects through psionic ability.
Alex: no, i mean.... i should have worded that more properly... the ship has teleporters, right?
Ahkai: Oh, I see. Would you like to be transported aboard?
[Flare chuckles to herself, calm blue light radiating from within her body.]
Flare: Psionic teleportation is possible... but that is probably best to be discussed later.
Samuel: interesting...
{He starts writing on his tablet.}
Alex: yes. Id like to be transported aboard, please.
Ahkai: Alright then. Oliver--
Oliver: I heard. Energizing the transporters.
[The teleporters kick on and teleport Alex into the hall between the Bridges.]
[The door to the main Bridge opens.]
Alex: greetings!
Samuel: Hey Al.
Alex: hey Sam.
Samuel: dont call me Sam.
Alex: dont call me Al.
...
{The both chuckle for a bit.}
Ferra: hehe! I dont know whats going on!
[Flare and Cobalt drift towards the expanding hangar, passing through the atmospheric containment field to land inside. They arrange four legs from the cloud of shardlets that orbit their bodies, allowing them to stand up in the artificial gravity.]
[Rhodes stands up, walking through the Bridge Corridor over to Alex.]
Rhodes: Hello, Alex. I'm Alex.
Alex: hey Alex, I am Alex.
{He starts chuckling.}
Rhodes: So they don't get confused, you can call me Rhodes.
[As he says "they" he points at the crew with his thumb.]
Alex: sure thing.
Enodus: While you're exchanging pleasantries, I'm going to go welcome Flare and Cobalt.
Ahkai: I will try to get Gray to come.
[Enodus steps out of the minor Bridge and starts the walk to the Hangar. Ahkai enters the Bridge Corridor and activates her connection to Gray. She enters his mindscape.]
Ferra: oh! Oh! Ill go with! Ill go with!
{Said Ferra, their naturally gray glow turning brighter with happiness. She hovers along.}
{The CMC realises that everyone is face-to-face.}
{The CMC sees no reason  to keep the energy built up anymore.}
My fear ends
Your power awakens
<BUFF>
<9 EJ>
<10, -1 due to power-held decaying.>
{The CMC goes back to attending their own things since they don't plan on sending a person over.}
[As Flare calmly awaits their arrival, she begins humming again. It translates into the soothing melody from earlier, but much clearer in the minds of those who can hear it.]
[Gray feels her presence, and appears directly in front of her. He is still in his altered state. His sudden appearance startles Ahkai.]
Gray: Ψhατ αrε yδμ dδiηg hεrε?
Ahkai: Oh!
[Ahkai steps back and recovers from the scare.]
Ahkai: I wanted to let you know we are meeting up with two other psionics and... Do you hear that?
Gray: Iτ sδμηds liκε mμsic. I did ηδτ cαμsε τhατ.
Ahkai: It must be Flare again. Would you like to come with me to welcome them?
[Gray imperceptibly sways, entranced by the music.]
Gray: ...Fiηε.
[Gray and Ahkai vanish from the mindscape, awakening back inside the Endurance. The door to Gray's quarters opens and Gray exits. He is still physically human. He and Ahkai step into the Main Corridor, walking to the Hangar.]
[Cobalt is slightly restless, his eyes darting throughout the hangar, as if to look for threats. The soothing melody seems to have little effect right now, confirmed by a stream of darkness visibly swirling beneath his exterior.]
Flare: We are safe here, Observant. These people don't have ill intent...
Cobalt: You never know. I'm being careful, don't blame me.
[Enodus comes into their view first, carrying two sheathed Energy Katanas on either side of his waist. His gaze switches between Flare and Cobalt.]
Enodus: Greetings.
{Ferra happily bounces as he approached them, their cloud of shards bouncing aswell. }
[Flare's three eyes glance over at Enodus, a warm glow emitted from within.]
Flare: It's a pleasure to meet you, Enodus.
[She then notices the youngling following closely behind.]
Flare: Such a vivid youth! Greetings, young one.
[Cobalt grumbles slightly, but keeps his composure. His eyes fix on the weapons attached to Enodus' waist.]
Ferra: Prismatic! Observant! A massive relief it is to see you both okay!
{They said, barely containing their excitement.}
[Flare chuckles softly. She reaches out with her song, to connect with the youngling.]
Flare: You were lost... found by a kind crew, restored to life... I am happy to see you survived so much, and flourished!
{Ferra hums the song along.}
Ferra: Im happy... that you are happy..! Hehe..!
[Enodus communicates directly to Cobalt through a basic link.]
Enodus: <Don't worry. My blades are for self-defense. I learned to use these so I wouldn't have to, if that makes sense.>
[Out loud]
Enodus: Welcome to the Endurance. It houses the remains of two civilizations, holding all that could be salvaged.
[Enodus straightens and turns slightly, hearing Ahkai speaking to him.]
Ahkai: <Gray and I are approaching the Hangar. Are you there?>
Enodus: <I am.>
Ahkai: <Excellent. We will see you there.>
[Ahkai comes into view, rounding a curved corridor. Gray follows, wearing an Exo.]
Ahkai: Hello, Flare. Hello, Cobalt. It is nice to meet you both.
[Gray glances at each of the Crystallids, with a look of surprise on his face.]
[Quietly]
Gray: Ahkai, you didn't tell me they weren't human!
Ahkai: I did not think I had to.
Gray: Always tell me what I should expect from these kinds of things.
Ahkai: Now I know.
Gray: ...
[Normal]
Gray: I don't believe we've met. I'm Gray, captain of the Endurance.
[Flare straightens up, beaming with happiness.]
Flare: Greetings, Captain Gray. I'm Flare, this is Cobalt. We noticed the psionic activity here from afar, and decided to see for ourselves.
Cobalt: And the whole "could it be hostile" thing.
[Flare nods.]
Flare: Our race is very much in tune with our souls, psionic ability forming the very core of the Convergence. Whilst I don't wish to intrude, I can sense each of your souls... bright sparks, growing, forming... it is a beautiful phenomenon.
{Samuel walks in, taking notes.}
Ferra: Samuel!
{Samuel looks up from his tablet to face Ferra.}
Samuel: yes?
{Ferra points at Flare and Cobalt in excitement. Samuel quickly looks at them, only saying:}
Samuel: Greetings.
{And going back to taking notes.}
[Cobalt huffs.]
Cobalt: Pleasant.
[Flare glares at him. He shrugs, going back to looking around at the hangar.]
Ferra: show some more respect, Samuel!
{Samuel stops taking notes, and looks at Ferra in confusion.}
Samuel: hmm?
Ferra: it is the prismatic you are looking at!
Samuel:...ok?
Ferra: what do you mean "ok"?!
Flare: <Peace, Ferra... Samuel does not need to know who we are if he doesn't wish to know...>
Ferra: <ok!>
Samuel: you- i can hear you.
Ferra: <wait, what?>
Samuel: stop it.
Gray: Hah. That would most likely be mainly Enodus.
Ahkai: We were in the mindscape a lot in recent events, maybe that had something to do with the energy you felt?
Enodus: I do not believe I was completely to blame for obtaining your attention. There was an external event that significantly increased my abilities. I don't know what it was from.
[Gray, hearing Ferra scolding Samuel, steps over to Samuel.]
Gray: Samuel. I'll give you a tip. Don't use that.
[Gray grabs Samuel's tablet out of his hands.]
Gray: Actually pay attention to people.
Samuel: give it back.
{His eyes start glowing, a psionic aura expanding from him.}
Gray: Try me.
[Gray's arm shifts, becoming his preferred blade.]
Samuel: violence is unnecessary.
{he snatches his tablet back with his psionic handling. He turns it off and folds it in his pocket.}
Samuel: valuable information could have been compromised.
{his eyes stop glowing.}
[Flare concernedly regards the situation, trying her best to project a calming atmosphere between the two. Cobalt can only chuckle to himself.]
Samuel: you could have just told me to turn it off. It was that simple.
Ahkai: I apologize, Flare. Gray isn't exactly in the best of places right now. He had a...problem... not thirty minutes ago. Four of us did, in fact.
Flare: ...a problem, you say? What happened to cause these... troubles?
Ahkai: It is too long to describe quickly. Shall we go to the Lounge for it?
[Gray's blade shifts back to normal.]
Gray: I don't want anyone talking about it. Especially people I don't know.
Ahkai: It is for your own good. If you do not like hearing about it, go back to the Bridge.
[Gray sighs.]
Gray: I'm not leaving. Be careful about what you say.
Cobalt: If we can fit into this Lounge, sure. As you can see, we aren't exactly small, relatively speaking.
Flare: Indeed.
[Ahkai smiles.]
Ahkai: Do not worry. You will be fine in there.
[Ahkai leads the way to the Lounge, with Enodus following.]
[The Crystallid follow too, exchanging glances with one another. Cobalt still seems on edge, especially after the whole deal between Gray and Samuel. Another swirl of darkness overtakes his natural glow.]
{Ferra silently follows behind Flare and Cobalt.}
{Samuel goes back to the bridge, back to taking notes.}
[They reach the Lounge.]
Ahkai: Now, the explanation... Are you able to enter my mind? It would be easier to show you.
[Flare nods.]
Flare: I can do that. I will create a Mind Space pocket between us, to more easily manifest our thoughts. Are you ready?
Ahkai: I am.
[Flare closes her eyes, her blue hue turning a deep purple. She reaches out with her soul, connecting with Ahkai's mind; in a split second, the Mind Space was created, and they now found themselves within it. The glossy white void encircled the pair as they manifested within, dancing swirls of lights surrounding them representing individual thoughts.]
Flare: Welcome, Ahkai, to my reality. Here, we are free of our constraints, and can manipulate our thoughts and memories at will.
[The Crystallid was represented as a glowing white form, with a pulsing green diamond at her core. She beamed with positive energy, allowing it to flow into the Mind Space around them.]
[Ahkai looks around, having manifested as her physical form.]
Ahkai: This is amazing! I did not realize a shared mindscape could get this advanced.
[Ahkai stops herself.]
Ahkai: I apologize. I am always surprised by others' abilities, having never advanced beyond my species's basics.
[Flare chuckles warmly.]
Flare: It is great to experience new and wonderful things! Your own psionic ability is substantial, I can tell.
[She dances through a swarm of thoughts, picking out a few here and there, presenting them as little balls of light.]
Flare: There is much knowledge we have accrued... these two, for example, are some of my earliest memories...
[In a twirl, Flare casts one of the balls between them, causing the Mind Space to twist and reform. Before they knew it, the pair found themselves in orbit of a warm orange supergiant star as the first Crystallids broke out of their asteroids.]
[Ahkai lowers her head a bit.]
Ahkai: Thank you. Back home, I was shunned because of my ineptitude. I am glad you do not feel the same as them.
[Ahkai focuses, closing her eyes. She holds out her hands, and a link to Ahkai's recent memories forms. Through it, they can see everything starting from the moment the Entanglement Drive began the upgrade. Ahkai opens her eyes again, and collapses the currently seen memory into the swirl of light it came from. She expands the link she holds, allowing it to take the place of the memory Flare showed.]
[Flare releases the memories she held, letting them dance away into the void. She regards the new memory, slightly shocked to see what occurred.]
Flare: Oh... oh my... this memory is recent, and powerful... this is when it happened.
Ahkai: Yes. This memory is painful to bear. Let me know if you want to watch something. I will be advancing through it to find the important areas.
[Ahkai watches the memory play out. Her past self offers to give Hysoka a tour of the Endurance, and Hysoka accepts. Ahkai advances the memory to the point of her and Hysoka's conversation about his outburst towards Samuel.]
Flare: I don't recall meeting this Hysoka... his interactions with Samuel are interesting. I cannot help but feel there is something deeper troubling these two souls...
Ahkai: When you arrived, Hysoka was in one of the rooms we had available. As he said in the memory, he was a Hydraxil drone. He was forced to make ships for them. Hysoka is currently sad and afraid of Gray.
[Ahkai advances the memory to when they entered the Weaponry Development Division. Hysoka falls off of Ahkai's back and curls up. Gray is seen in the distance, using his arm in its laser cannon form.]
[Flare radiates concern.]
Flare: Such a poor soul... tormented by his past. Hmm...
[Ahkai's past self is seen trying to comfort Hysoka, then is felt communicating with Gray, telling him to stop using his arm. Ahkai's past self then enters Hysoka's mindscape. The memory loses focus for a moment, then Ahkai's visualization of Hysoka's mindscape is seen.]
Flare: Fascinating... I have never seen a direct connection before. It feels... unsettled.
Ahkai: It was. All minds I have encountered require a balance between good and bad memories. Normally, some memories are lost as new memories are gained. The stronger the memory, the less likely it will be forgotten. Hysoka's mind was horribly damaged. There was no balance apart from the amount of memories of each kind. I proceeded to repair his mind, but, being rushed, it was not perfect.
[Ahkai's past self is seen repairing Hysoka's mind, manifesting her repair tools, then reattaching and reorganizing the strings.]
[Though only watching, Flare looks as if she wanted to help. Of course, it was only a memory.]
Flare: Oh... oh no... the mind must be purified, to allow it to heal... memories, thoughts, the soul itself is delicate! So much damage has been done to this poor mind... all you have managed to do is a temporary fix!
[For a brief moment, Flare's form flickers and bubbles; she eventually calms herself.]
Flare: I'm sorry... I didn't mean to insult your abilities, or your intent. I do believe you did all you could... seeing another attempt to heal a mind in this manner is somewhat unsettling, but I understand that this perspective is new to me... please, continue...
[The memory shows Hysoka's memories readjusting themselves.]
Ahkai: This was indeed a temporary fix. It was an emergency, so I did what I could to stabilize it. I would have truly fixed it later.
[Ahkai advances the memory to Hysoka collapsing again. Past Ahkai enters Hysoka's mind again, and sees the collapse. Past Ahkai forces Hysoka to manifest, and they go through a brief conversation before she is seen doing everything she can to save Hysoka. Present Ahkai adds another layer to the memory, showing what happened outside the memory. Ahkai and Gray's past selves can be felt conversing, then past Gray runs off.]
Ahkai: He went to go retrieve spare nanorobots from his quarters. I told him to replace Hysoka's prosthetic parts with ones of his own design. At the time, I thought the Collective parts were interfering.
Flare: ...and it didn't go to plan, I assume?
Ahkai: I believe the replacements helped stabilize Hysoka's mind, but they did something extra I did not expect: They caused other memories to awaken, ones that were previously destroyed by the Collective.
[Past Gray returns, carrying a container of the nanites. He prepares the nanites for replacement, and begins using them to map Hysoka's mind. Past Hysoka can be seen recovering the memories as this happens. Each pulse Gray sent made Hysoka's mental network momentarily glow and the suppressed memories sparked with each pulse.]
Flare: Suppressed memories... the Collective's evils know no bound. But this nanotechnology is incredibly advanced...
[Ahkai nods in agreement.]
Ahkai: It is. Once Hysoka was restored, he remembered his identity from before his abduction. He and Samuel were brothers.
[Ahkai advances the memory to Samuel and Hysoka's conversation.]
Ahkai: They were originally on board the Endurance so we could begin a project together: A fleet of sapient, self-sustaining ships. We have not gotten very far, because of what happened next.
[Past Gray gets a call from Oliver. He tells everyone to run to the Bridge, but he asks Ahkai to come with him.]
Ahkai: As Ferra was helping us upgrade our reactor, something happened that made the shielding around its core fail. The singularity we use to sustain our ship escaped containment.
[The memory shows Gray and Ahkai attempting to disable the reactor. When it didn't work, Gray told Ahkai to run outside of the danger area. They did not run far enough, and they start falling in. Gray catches Ahkai as they fall, bringing them to a halt by slamming his prosthetic arm into the wall and dragging it, tearing the inner hull layer in the process.]
[Flare is speechless as she watches the memory play out.]
Flare: So that's what happened. I felt a disturbance on our way here... psionic screams echoing into the void.
Ahkai: Perhaps, although the large event happened later.
[The memory shows Gray, Ahkai, and Ferra being impaled by hull fragments.]
Ahkai: Our hull is made of what Gray calls "Higgs Crystals." They are very unstable on their own, but can become stable under the right conditions. They also seem to have an effect on the mind under certain unknown conditions we reached. The crystals manifested in our mindscapes, and Hysoka saved our lives.
[The memory advances to Hysoka waking Ahkai and them destroying the anomaly. The crystals form on past Ahkai's manifestation, and Hysoka takes them out.]
[The memory then advances to when they find Gray within his mindscape.]
[Flare points to the large anomaly hovering above the mindscape city's centre.]
Flare: I never thought I'd see such a thing in an organic mind... did you discover why that anomaly manifested?
Ahkai: I suspect it was due to the Higgs Crystals that pierced our bodies. Mine vanished as Hysoka got rid of the anomaly. Gray's vanished when we damaged it enough. Ferra's anomaly cleared with mine.
[The memory shows Hysoka freeing Gray from the crystal he was trapped in, and crystals formed on him. Ahkai went outside the building and started taking apart the anomaly using her repair tools. Gray and Hysoka come out, helping to destroy the anomaly.]
Ahkai: I am fascinated by Hysoka's repair tool, though. It seems to evolve and improve as he uses it.
[The memory then advances to Ferra's mindscape.]
Flare: The youngling's mind has grown in strange and fascinating ways... spending this much time with, if you'll pardon my expression, "closed minded organics" has changed their mind from what I am familiar with. And Hysoka's abilities are impressive... but not by natural means, I feel. Humans are very rarely so psionically gifted...
Ahkai: Indeed. When I first met the crew of the Endurance, I found that none of them had any psionic abilities, but some would be formidable if they gained the gift. Gray, for example.
[The memory shifts to Ahkai, Gray, Hysoka, and Ferra taking down the anomaly. The anomaly grows to its second stage, an eye forming upon it. Ahkai pauses the memory, displaying the eye.]
Ahkai: I do not know what to make of this. Do you?
[Flare studies the memory for a moment.]
Flare: I... I know of something akin to what you see here... the manifestation of corruption...
[She grows silent and distant for a moment, a deep sadness gripping the Mind Space around them. Flare pulls a small glowing light from within herself, opening a small window to the memory; it showed Cobalt, isolated in the dark void that is his mindscape, blackened tentacles wrapped around his manifestation. Behind the trapped Crystallid was a large eye, its withering gaze tearing at his soul.]
Flare: You were fortunate to catch it before it evolved... he was not so lucky...
[Ahkai's expression drastically changes to one of determination and anger.]
Ahkai: I want to help him. Gray and Hysoka are strong, and Ferra now has a repair tool of their own. If I could get Cobalt to manifest one, we could help him. We could destroy...whatever that thing is.
Ahkai: Enodus is strong too. He doesn't know much in the way of healing, but he could do a lot of damage against it.
{From out of nowhere, a shriek of pain interrupted Ahkai's train of thought. It seems to be hysoka's voice... but only Ahkai is able to hear it...}
[Flare's sadness only increases.]
Flare: You don't... understand this evil. I have faced it before... it feeds on power. Even I could not stop it, without only making it worse.
Ahkai: Agh!
[Ahkai steps back, clutching her head.]
Ahkai: H-- Hysoka? I am sorry, Flare. I must check on Hysoka. I heard him cry out in pain. We may continue this later, if you wish.
[Ahkai vanishes, awakening in the Endurance. She runs to Hysoka, following the trace she left for him.]
Hysoka: AAHHK-I--AAA+×÷×+--I
{Heard Ahkai within her head. Such screaming is able to haunt anyone by how horrifyingly painful it sounds...}
[Flare regains control of her body, glancing sadly over at Cobalt. He seemed slightly confused and concerned, but both of them remain silent.]
[Ahkai enters Hysoka's quarters.]
Ahkai: Hysoka, what is happening?
{Hysoka could be seen immobile, facing the wall opposite from the door.}
Hysoka: Ahkai..!
[Ahkai steps over to Hysoka and puts her hand on his shoulder.]
Ahkai: What is happening?
{Hysoka turns his head to ahkai, his eye having the strange crosshair...}
Hysoka: ev×rything's fi×e, wha+ ar÷ you talk+ng about..?
{From within Ahkai's mind, more shrieking could be heard, the voice being Hysoka's.}
[Ahkai backs away.]
Ahkai: What-- No! I erased you!
Hysoka: w×+t d+ y÷+ mea×, Ah+×i? Everyt÷×g's fine...
{Hysoka's robotic eye began twitching everytime his voice glitched.}
Ahkai: No. Everything is not fine.
[Ahkai backs out of the room and runs to an armory. She picks up an Energy Katana and it activates upon her touch.]
Hysoka: Ev-Ev-I==Everything is fine+×÷×fine+×÷×fine×÷+×fine÷×+==I
{Said hysoka, his arms becoming annihilation beams.}
[Ahkai mentally calls for Enodus.]
Ahkai: <Help me. I need you to subdue Hysoka.>
Enodus: <I'm on my way.>
[Ahkai's Energy Katana flickers, then projects a shield around her.]
Hysoka: I==Why-y-y-y+×÷+are you running-ng-ng?+×÷==I
[From within Ahkai's mind]
Hysoka: AAAAHHHK-I==AAAII+××÷×+÷×+==I
Ahkai: You are not Hysoka. You are not my friend!
[Inside the shield from the blade, Ahkai projects a psionic shield of her own. She delves into Hysoka's mindscape.]
[A Hydraxil structure is linked to everything in Hysoka's mind.]
Ahkai: No...
[From deep within herself, from a place Ahkai had long since forgotten, she feels true rage. Ahkai manifests her tools, but they are different. They are encased in a dark, pulsating energy. The needles emit vast amounts of lightning from their tips, and the strings attached flicker between visibility and invisibility.]
Ahkai: No!
[She fuses her tools with her manifestation, and demanifests. She immediately appears again, this time as a ball of light, somewhat similar to how Flare looked in the mindscape. Instead of radiating positive energy, however, the only emotion that can be seen from her is anger.]
Ahkai: NO!!!
[She focuses solely on the Hydraxil structure, directing a blast of psionic energy directly at it. She disappears, reappearing closer to the structure.]
{The structure forcefully manifests hysoka right in front of her, completely controlled by what appears to be strings. The shrieking came from Hysoka, although it did not look like he was doing so.}
[Ahkai sidesteps, striking at the structure again.]
{A wall of distorted hysoka images surrounded the structure, being the real one the one manifested infront of her back then.}
[Outside the mindscape]
[Enodus rounds the corner of a hallway and sees Ahkai encased in two shields, being threatened by Hysoka. Enodus draws his blades, activating them.]
Enodus: Stand down.
H??o?a: I==Pathetic.... you think you could simply remove us from his mind... you only strengthened our connection...==I
{A strange voice came from Hysoka.}
?ys??a: I==you took the bait quite perfectly... you have no longer use to us.==I
Ahkai: I did no such thing!!!
[She disappears and reappears directly in front of the structure. She shoots it again, this time with the full force of her rage.]
[Outside the mindscape]
Enodus: I SAID STAND DOWN.
{The structure re-manifests hysoka again, right infront of her, this time distorted.}
??so?a: I==keep thinking you didnt... thats how organic species respond when they are in denial...==I
Hysoka: I==AAHHK+×AAI+÷÷×+×==I
{Its as if Hysoka's manifestation's head splits into 2...}
[To enodus]
H??ok?: I==or what..? You will kill he who you are trying to save..?==I
Enodus: I am not trying to save you. Only her. Stand. Down.
[To enodus]
H?so??: I==If I go down... I will take her with me... she is inside this drone's head... blast it, and she will stay trapped in a limbo of no return, along your friend...==I
Enodus: You think the choice is binary. I'll show you otherwise.
[Enodus launches a wave of psionic energy at Hysoka, pinning him against the wall and immobilizing him.]
H???ka: I==futile+×÷futile+×÷futile+×÷==I
[As he does so, Gray rounds the corner. He sees what is happening, and charges towards Ahkai. He stops, then grabs her shoulder. He follows their connection into the mindscape.]
[Gray manifests immediately, and floats towards the tower, slowly and deliberately. Ahkai notices him.]
Ahkai: Gray!? What are you doing here!?
Gray: Rεscμiηg yδμ.
Ahkai: I do not need rescuing!
Gray: ξηδdμs hαs ρiηηεd Hysδκα τδ τhε ψαll αηd yδμ αrε τrαρρεd hεrε. I'd sαy δτhεrψisε.
H??ok?: I==and here comes one of the last of its civiliz+×÷HEELP MEE+×÷ation to help another survivor. If only there was a way for you to bring them all back...==I
{Mocked the structure through hysoka's body, Hysoka slipping in to plead for help.}
[Gray stops and looks at Hysoka. He raises his hand, and Hysoka flies towards him. Gray grabs Hysoka by the throat and looks him in the eye.]
Gray: I hαvε hαd εηδμgh δf yδμr miηd gαmεs, mαchiηε.
[The throws Hysoka down and continues towards the structure, picking up speed.]
[Ahkai catches Hysoka, her rage tearing apart the strings holding him.]
{The structure creates a weapon, size being equal to the cubed of Hysoka's annihilator beam. It shoots a barrage of destructive beams towards Gray.}
???: I==thats right... you cant. And you never will. Not now. Not ever. They will be but a memory within your mind, no matter how much you ignore it.==I
{The machine continued to taunt Gray, voice echoing through both his mind and Ahkai's}
[Gray's crystallized body segments absorb the laser and refracts it, dispersing it harmlessly.]
Gray: I'm ραrτly mαdε δf crysταl. Yδμ rεαlly τhiηκ α LASξR ψδμld hμrτ mε?
[Gray continues on his course.]
{The structure splits the weapon in 2, and reconfigures them to be projectile based. One mimicks Gray's projectile rain by a tenfold, and one makes a direct barrage of projectiles of all kinds.}
???: I==Thank you for telling me a way of killing you.==I
[The crystals morph into a shield, blocking all of the projectiles except one. Gray catches it and hurls it back.]
Gray: Yδμ rεly δη τricκs. Oη miηd gαmεs. Yδμ εχρlδiτ yδμr fδεs, αηd shδψ ηδ rεmδrsε fδr ψhατ yδμ dδ.
Gray: Yδμ αrε ηδτ ψεlcδmε hεrε. Yδμ αrε ηδτ ψεlcδmε αηyψhεrε.
???: I==you would be welcome on your civilization, if they werent destroyed. You are barely welcome anywhere rather than in your own personal prison of a ship, nothing but a remembrance of your failures.==I
Gray: Ψhεη τhis is δvεr... I'm cδmiηg fδr yδμ.
[Gray morphs his crystallized arm into a gigantic laser cannon, easily dwarfing the one the structure made.]
Gray: βεgδηε.
[Gray fires the laser.]
Gray: Thαηκ yδμ fδr giviηg mε α rεαsδη τδ cδmε αfτεr yδμ.
???: I==may this stuck in your head, failure-÷×+×÷×+÷×++×++×==I
{The structure was finally destroyed by the laser. Bits flying everywhere. Hysoka's mind returned back to normal.}
Gray: Dδη'τ ψδrry. I ψδη'τ fδrgετ.
Gray: Ahκαi, Hysδκα, αrε yδμ αlrighτ?
{Hysoka's eye starts violently twitching, before turning back to normal. Hysoka snaps out of it with a big gasp, followed by heavy breathing. He covers his face with his hands and starts crying.}
[Ahkai resets her manifestation, becoming herself again.]
Ahkai: Hysoka, I-- I do not know how to say this, but for what it is worth... I am so, so sorry.
[Ahkai hugs Hysoka.]
Ahkai: I am so sorry...
[Tears form in Ahkai's eyes and fall freely.]
Hysoka: It... hurts... so... much...
{He said, placing his hand on his chest, where his heart is. He feels his heartbeat, and sees it is beating at an irregularly increasing speed.}
Ahkai: I will help as much as I can.
Gray: I'm lεαviηg.
[Ahkai looks up at Gray and nods. Gray vanishes.]
Hysoka: please.... stay... with me...
{He hugs Ahkai tightly, sobbing incontrollably soon after.}
Ahkai: I will not go anywhere.
Hysoka: I... I dont know.... what to do... I am a... hazard for... even myself...
{He continues sobbing, hugging Ahkai tighter.}
[Outside the mindscape]
Gray: Enodus, you can stop. I've dealt with it.
[Enodus releases his hold on Hysoka and sheathes his blades.]
Enodus: What now?
Gray: I'm taking them to a spare Bridge room.
Enodus: What should I do?
Gray: Go back to Flare. She'll probably want to talk to you.
[Enodus walks away without a word. Gray walks in the other direction, slinging Hysoka over his shoulder and using his cybernetic arm to bring Ahkai along. He makes the long journey to the Bridge. When he gets there, he opens the door to a spare room without a word, ignoring everyone in who tries to speak to him. He places Hysoka down on the standard bed and Ahkai next to him. He leaves the room and walks back down to the Lounge.]
Ahkai: I do not have the answers. Everything I try is only temporary.
Ahkai: Would you like me to speak to Flare about it? She is much stronger and more capable than I am.
Hysoka: stay with me.... stay with me.... please Ahkai....
{Hysoka seems to have ignored what Ahkai said. His sobbing decreases its intensity, and his hug decreases its tightness.}
Ahkai: I am here. I will not leave you, not like this.
Hysoka: please.... stay with me...
{He kept on repeating "stay with me" to Ahkai.}
[Ahkai closes her eyes and stays.]
Ahkai: Do not worry... I am here.
Hysoka: thank... you... so much... for everything...
{He checks his heart beat again, seeing that it was now mostly back to normal. He resumes his hugging.}
Ahkai: You are welcome, Hysoka. I wish I could do more...
Hysoka: I am just... so happy... yet.... somehow sad... that you guys came to my life... although... mostly grateful...
{Said hysoka, voice decreasingly whiny as he spoke.}
Hysoka: but most importantly... i am happy that you came to my life, Ahkai...
{He said, voice turning whinier this time. His hugging went back to being tight.}
Ahkai: I am happy, too, Hysoka. More than you could ever know.
Hysoka: heheh... heh... im glad... you are...
{He quickly blushed, but tried to make it so Ahkai didnt see him.}
Hysoka:...I... heh... i dont... want to let go...
[Ahkai smiles.]
Ahkai: Then I can stay a little longer.
Hysoka: I...
{He slowly loosens grip off of Ahkai.}
Hysoka: I... heheh... I think... its... time...
Ahkai: I agree. Are you ready?
Hysoka: I... I b-believe so...
Ahkai: Alright.
[She gets Hysoka to vanish, then vanishes herself. They wake in the Bridge room Gray set them in.]
{Hysoka wakes up with a gasp. He notices his arms being beams, and converted them away. The sight of weapons on his arms somehow made him feel worse. Hysoka tries to hide the pain...}
[Ahkai wakes, confused at first.]
Ahkai: Where-- Ah. Gray must have moved us.
[She turns to look at Hysoka.]
Ahkai: Would you like to stay in here, or go out?
Hysoka: I uhh... uhh... h-heh... w-where... w-would you like to go..?
{Hysoka asks, sweating nervously.}
Ahkai: I'd like to rest, actually. I can imagine you feel the same.
Hysoka: I do, in fact.. I think I will just rest right here, i hope nobody minds... last thing i want to be is a nuisance... again...! Heheh..! Heeehh.....
{Hysoka turns around and gives himself small facepalms.}
Ahkai: Then, do you mind if I stay here?
Hysoka: n-no..! I dont m-mind at all..!
Ahkai: Thank you.
[She leans her upper body back, resting it on top of her abdomen.]
Hysoka: ....sleep well, Ahkai..
[Ahkai smiles.]
Ahkai: You too, Hysoka.
{Hysoka sees her smile, and turns around pretending to go to sleep, blushing. After some time, he did go to sleep.}
[Ahkai drifts off quickly.]
[Flare and Cobalt are still in the Lounge. After nearly an hour of silence between the two, Cobalt finally stops pacing about and speaks his mind.]
Cobalt: What did you see?
Flare: It wouldn't be wise to say. I'm sorry, Observant.
[Cobalt grumbles to himself, continuing to pace up and down the length of the room.]
Flare: I felt the disturbance again. Hysoka was the source...
Cobalt: Perhaps we shouldn't have come. We have enough issues to deal with-
Flare: Don't be ignorant. We have a duty to protect everyone, including these poor souls. I... I will try to help them.
Cobalt: If you say so. Just don't overstretch yourself.
Flare: I'll be fine. Besides, with you by my side, we can overcome anything.
[She beams with happiness. Cobalt can only chuckle, nodding to himself.]
[Gray steps into the room and sighs.]
Gray: Hysoka was being controlled by the Hydraxil. Ahkai and I freed him.
Cobalt: Bah, those machines...
[Flare turned to regard Gray.]
Flare: I felt it. I can only guess as to the damage that has been done to his mind.
Gray: There was a large structure. It connected everything, and was causing further damage.
[Gray hesitates before talking again.]
Gray: I took it apart myself.
Gray: If you would like to read my memories, be my guest.
[Flare thinks for a moment.]
Flare: It will be better to discuss this in Mind Space. Prepare yourself...
[Gray prepares.]
Gray: I'm ready.
[Flare's soul reaches out, connecting with Gray's mind. In an instant, they were in the white void of Mind Space.]
[Gray's altered manifestation is blatantly obvious.]
Gray: This is... Diffεrεητ.
Flare: This is a place where we can manipulate our thoughts, free from constraint. Your form... it feels peculiar.
Gray: As iτ shδμld. Iτ isη'τ ηατμrαl.
[Gray is silent for a moment.]
Gray: Hδψ dδ I shαrε α mεmδry? I hαvε δηly εvεr dδηε iτ iηsidε my δψη miηd.
[Flare glides around for a moment, pointing at a cloud of swirling lights surrounding Gray.]
Flare: These are the manifestations of memory. You must take the one you desire, and will it into the present. Mind Space will do the rest.
[Gray thinks for a moment.]
Gray: I τhiηκ I κηδψ ψhατ yδμ mεαη.
[Gray focuses, bringing his memories to the forefront of his mind. One of the lights grows brighter, and Gray takes it. He wills it into the present, and the memory opens. It begins at the point where he sees Enodus holding Hysoka against the wall.]
[Flare watches intently.]
Flare: So Enodus was there too...
Gray: Yεs. Tδ my κηδψlεdgε, τhδμgh, hε ηεvεr εητεrεd Hysδκα's miηd.
[The memory shows Gray entering Hysoka's mindscape. The memory goes out of focus, then it returns. The mindscape can be seen, with the large structure in the middle of everything.]
Flare: Hmm... the way that structure connects to Hysoka's mind is interesting. I didn't think the Collective had such commanding control over the minds of its drones, but rather just erased them entirely...
Gray: Pεrhαρs τhis ψαs ηεψ. If τhεy hαd iηdεεd μsεd τhεsε iη τhε ραsτ, ψδμld ρεδρlε hαvε bεεη frεεd?
[Past Gray is shown advancing towards the structure, fending off its attacks with ease.]
Flare: Without having studied the mind of a freed drone, I can't say for sure.
[She watches the fight ensue.]
Flare: Your form is strong. Unnatural as it may be, it has great potential...
Gray: Thαηκ yδμ. Thατ's jμsτ αbδμτ τhε δηly τhiηg gδδd αbδμτ iτ.
[Past Gray summons the laser cannon and destroys the structure.]
[As the structure explodes, Flare can see the feedback tearing through the surrounding mindscape. Her cool demeanour changes to one of shock and concern.]
Flare: ...oh no... I understand you saw no other way to free him, but this has only done more damage! So... untrained, so inefficient... so destructive!
Gray: Aηd τhατ dεscribεs mε ηεαr ρεrfεcτly.
[In the Lounge, Flare's body twitches suddenly. Cobalt ceases his pacing, concernedly walking up to her.]
Cobalt: Be careful...
Enodus: What's going on?
Cobalt: She's experiencing powerful emotions, seeing how her body responded. If it gets worse, I will have to intervene...
Cobalt: I can't let her get too overzealous.
Enodus: If it comes to that, may I help?
Cobalt: Hrm. If it comes to that, you make sure Gray is alright.
[Enodus nods.]
[Back in Mind Space, Flare glides back and forth, shaking her head at the memory.]
Flare: I can't expect you to understand, Gray. Something like this can permanently cripple his mind! This... this has gone too far. I will tend to Hysoka myself, and try to salvage what's left of his mind without destroying it further!
Gray: I αρδlδgizε. I didη'τ mεαη fδr αηy δf τhis τδ hαρρεη.
[Gray vanishes, awakening in the Lounge.]
Gray: I'll be in the Bridge. I'm sorry.
[Gray leaves the room.]
[Flare awakes too, watching Gray leave before she could say anything.]
Cobalt: What happened, Placid?
Flare: I... I need a moment...
[Cobalt looks over at Enodus, nodding appreciatively despite not needing the intervention.]
Enodus: Is something wrong?
[Enodus steps forward, concerned.]
Flare: Please, make sure Gray is alright... I may have been too harsh on him...
Enodus: Alright.
[Enodus leaves, following Gray.]
Cobalt: I did say, didn't I?
Flare: Yes... but now is not the time. I must find Hysoka and help him before it's too late...
[On the Bridge]
[Gray steps in.]
Leah: Gray? What's wrong?
Gray: I may have just ruined something important.
[He steps into his quarters and the door closes behind him.]
{Meanwhile, back where hysoka and Ahkai are sleeping...}
{Hysoka could be seen waking up.}
Hysoka: ugh... my... head...
{He starts looking around, seemingly not recognizing the place he is at.}
Hysoka:...where... am I...?
[Hearing Hysoka, Ahkai stirs.]
Ahkai: ...Do you... not remember?
{Hysoka hears Ahkai, turning his head towards her. As soon as he sees her, he freaks out.}
Hysoka: whaaat thEE HEELL ARE YOUU?!?!
{he falls from the bed he slept on, falling to the floor, although he quickly stood up, backing away from Ahkai.}
Ahkai: You do not remember?
[Ahkai steps away slightly, starting to tear up.]
Hysoka: remember what?! The... strange ships that came outta nowhere and started attack- [gasp]..! YOU ARE GOING TO TURN ME INTO A MACHINE! GET AWAY!
{Hysoka said, backing even further.}
Ahkai: Do I look like a Hydraxil?
Ahkai: Do I have any machines connected to me?
Hysoka: Are... those how they are called..? I dont remember...
{He said, putting his hand on his head, later noticing it is a robotic arm. He freaks out.}
Hysoka: whaaAAT THE HEELLL HAPPENED TO MY ARMS-
{he notices his legs are aswell robotic.}
Hysoka: WHAAAT THE HEEELLL HAPPENED TO MY LEEEEGS?!?!
[Ahkai sighs and a single tear falls.]
Ahkai: You... Clearly do not remember. Okay...
Ahkai: Do you remember those "strange ships"?
Hysoka: HELL YEA I DO! AND I BET THIS IS HOW THEY'D LOOK ON THE INSIDE, I THINK!
{He said, still freaking out.}
[The air in the room gets heavier for a moment.]
Ahkai: I am sure they are not. I...
[Ahkai noticed the change.]
Ahkai: Is that...
[Direct communication to Flare]
Ahkai: <Flare, did you do something?>
Flare: <Keep his mind active. I am almost there.>
Hysoka: WHAAAT IS HAPPENING?! Ohhh dear god you DRUGGED ME! YOU WILL KEEP REPLACING PARTS OF ME TILL FULLY ROBOTIC, WONT YOU?!
{he kept on unreasonably freaking out.}
Ahkai: <Alright.>
Ahkai: What year do you think it is?
Hysoka: I... I dunno... 10010, Tierra Priman time? But how will i know, if i was ABDUCTED!
{He keeps irrationally freaking out.}
Ahkai: Hysoka, I-- I mean, Samson, you were abducted. You spent time as a drone, but you were freed.
Hysoka?: ok, HOW DO YOU KNOW MY NAME? SO YOU DID ABDUCT ME!
{he keeps jumping to conclusions.}
Ahkai: Okay. No. I did not abduct you.
[To Flare]
Ahkai: Would it be wise to show him Samuel?
Hysoka?: THATS WHAT ABDUCTING ALIENS WOULD SA-
{he trips and falls to the floor.}
Hysoka?: OWW! OH OK! NO THATS FINE! MAKING MY ROBOT LEGS CLUMSY!
Flare: <There is no telling how Samuel would react to him, but perhaps he could be useful. You should call him.>
Ahkai: Samson, I did not make your legs clumsy.
[To Flare]
Ahkai: Thank you.
[Normal]
Ahkai: Would you like to see Samuel?
Hysoka?: OH! OK! YOU MADE MY BROTHER INTO A ROBOT! YEA, NO, THATS FINE!
{he keeps freaking out.}
[Ahkai steps back and opens the door.]
Ahkai: Samuel, please come here.
{Samuel can be seen walking in, taking notes in his tablet}
Samuel: what seems to be the problem?
Hysoka?: O-...you... look so much... older...
Samuel: ... amnesia?
{Immediately asked Samuel to Ahkai.}
Ahkai: ...Yes. He thinks he is still pre-abduction Samson.
Hysoka?: OhhhohOO! I SEE WHATS GOING ON HERE!
Samuel: hmm?
Hysoka?: HAVING CONVERS- HAV...
{He is freaking out so much he cant even properly speak anymore.}
Hysoka?: HAV... CONVERSATIONS IN FRONT OF ME TO THINK... TO THINK YOU ARENT DRONE-
Samuel: shut. Up. You absolute madman.
Hysoka: ....
{Hysoka shut right up.}
[A dull thumping can be heard a short way down the corridor.]
Ahkai: Samuel, that was a bit harsh.
Samuel:...what? He was being erratic.
Hysoka?: ...What...
{Hysoka's eyes seem lost.}
Hysoka?: ...what... what is this place..?
Samuel: ah... far worse... lack of short term memory included.
Hysoka?: Samuel?! Is that you?!
Samuel: confirmed.
[To Flare]
Ahkai: Are you almost here? Hysoka is talking to Samuel right now.
Samuel: Samson, come here. Give me a hug, brother.
Hysoka: THE HELL IS THAT CREATURE?!
{he said, pointing at Ahkai.}
Samuel:... its far worse than I calculated, Ahkai.
[As soon as Ahkai had finished her sentence, Flare slides into view, grinding to a halt on the metal plating in front of the doorway.]
Flare: I am here. Do not be afraid, Hysoka, I am not here to harm you.
Flare: Ahkai, Samuel, please stand aside...
Ahkai: Flare, he has amnesia. He thinks he is Samson, from before he was abducted.
[Ahkai stands aside.]
Samuel: got it.
{Samuel stood aside.}
Hysoka: WHAAAAAAT IS- ITS A GIANT CRYSTAL..! YOU GUYS SEE THAT?!
Ahkai: Yes. We see her. Meet Prismatic Flare.
[Flare nods to Ahkai, moving closer to Hysoka.]
Flare: This will take more than a small effort.
[She holds out one of her arms, psionically lifting Hysoka a short ways into the air.]
Flare: Be at peace, Samson.
[As she says this, she psionically tranquilizes him to prevent his struggle during the process.]
Hysoka?: whaaAAT IS HAAPPeeen....
{He says, as he was lifted by her, then tranquilized.}
Ahkai: May I watch from within the mindscape?
Flare: Yes Ahkai. Samuel, I will need your presence too. Being his relative, you can aid in the healing process.
Samuel: enter his mind?
{He shrugs.}
Samuel: sure thing.
[Ahkai uses her previous connection and enters Hysoka's mind.]
Ahkai: Samuel, place your hand on my shoulder. I can bring you in with me.
[Flare concentrates, connecting herself to all three minds around her. The direct connection into Hysoka's mind took a significant effort, but she was able to achieve it flawlessly, manifesting in the ruined mindscape.]
Samuel: sure thing.
{He places his hand on Ahkai.}
[Ahkai manifests.]
Ahkai: Oh... oh no...
{Within hysoka's mindscape is seen a small grid of ships, which seem to be the samson memories of hysoka. All the other memories seem to be disconnected.}
{His smaller grid of memories seems to be shrinking. More and more ships seem to be disconnecting.}
Flare: This is worse than I thought. His mind is withering... but I can stop it before it is too late. Samuel, I need you to concentrate on good memories, the times you have spent with your brother before he was assimilated. It will help to maintain the remaining memories. If you feel you need to talk to Samson directly, he will hear you.
Samuel: sure thing.
Samuel: ...hmm...
{Samuel concentrates, finding a good memory he had along Samson. He finally finds it, and his eyes start glowing.}
Samuel: I found one!
Flare: Good! Focus on it, explore it, relive it!
Samuel: sure thing!
{He starts focusing on the memory...}
[Flare meanwhile moves towards the centre of the grid of ships, concentrating deeply on the surrounding memories.]
Flare: Take heed, and hear my words. I will bring your memories together, back into the world. My song will guide you, and come back to us.
[Powerful arcs of electricity eject from Flare's manifestation, striking the ships around her. A whirlwind of psionic energy whips up around the event as Flare begins to reconnect the ships, one by one.]
Ahkai: ...That looks like what I did...
Samuel: Im sure you did alright aswell.
{Said Samuel to Ahkai, going back to concentrating on the good memories.}
[The psionic storm intensifies, fragments of what used to be the Collective's core materializing around Flare. More and more memories begin to be reconnected, and the entire mindscape judders in response to Samson's mind reawakening. Flare casts a sphere of light towards Ahkai and Samuel, summoning Samson's manifestation in front of them.]
Ahkai: Samson?
{Samson seems to have manifested with a younger look, not having neither the eye, nor the robotic extremities.}
{He opened his eyes, and looks at Samuel first.}
Samson: ...Samuel..?
Samuel: heh... little brother is looking a bit younger...
Samson: I...
{Samson rushes to hug Samuel.}
[A deep warmth and happiness radiates outward from the psionic storm as the last few memories are reconnected. Flare summons the rest of the fragmented core, assembling it in the centre of the grid. Before it could reassume its old programming, Flare immediately purged it and instated Samson as the controller, cyan lights replacing the red ones on the exterior of the core. Numerous connection cables fired out of the core to attach to the memories, holding the memories together as Samson's delicate mind began the final stages of healing. Flare gave it everything she had, cleansing the mindscape of the rot that was tearing it apart once and for all.]
Ahkai: Hysoka, are you back?
{Samson's manifestation begins to slowly shift, seemingly rapidly aging.}
Sa??soka: ...Ah...kai..?
Samuel: he remembers..!
??soka: Sam...uel..?
[Ahkai moves forward.]
Ahkai: Hysoka!
[She hugs Hysoka, tears flowing.]
Ahkai: I am so glad you are okay...!
{His manifestation seemingly glitches, quickly revealing the gruesome imagery of his manifestation's arms, legs and eye removed. Less than a second later, the manifestation glitches again, this time having his hydraxil parts. Hysoka hugs Ahkai back.}
Hysoka: what... happened...?
[Flare slowly approaches.]
Flare: Your mind was fragmented, decaying... but we have healed it.
[She beams with happiness.]
[Ahkai breaks off.]
Ahkai: You forgot almost everything. Flare saved your life.
Hysoka:... who... is she..? Is she... part of Ferra's... species..?
Hysoka: ...Nice... to meet you... Flare...
{He puts a hand on his head.}
Flare: And it is a pleasure to meet you too, Hysoka. Ferra and I are indeed of the same species, you are correct!
[She glances over at Samuel and Ahkai.]
Flare: I believe our work here is done. Come, let us awaken.
[Flare's manifestation disappears. She regains control of her body, gently lowering Hysoka down onto one of the beds nearby.]
[Ahkai gets Samuel to awaken, then Hysoka. She wakes after everyone else.]
Ahkai: Thank you, Flare. Thank you so much.
{Both hysoka and Samuel awaken with a gasp, Samuel's eyes glowing for a while.}
Samuel: I do believe... ...you remember everything by now.
Hysoka: indeed.
Samuel: good. But...
{He walks up to hysoka.}
Samuel: i need to stay to make sure.
Hysoka: ...huh...
Samuel: what?
Hysoka: ...that reminds me, where is Ferra? Are they still okay?
Samuel: last thing i remember about them is silently follow cobalt and flare in admiration.
Hysoka: ...ok...?
Flare: It was my pleasure, Ahkai. This is my purpose, to protect and to save. Hopefully Gray can forgive me for being so... harsh with him.
Flare: Oh, and Ferra was still in the Lounge with Cobalt when I came to find you, Hysoka. I'd say they are still there.
Flare: If you feel strong enough, you can come say hello!
Hysoka: sure... thing...
{Hysoka struggles to stand up, eventually giving up due to lack of strength.}
Hysoka: I... heh... I cant...
Samuel: rest, brothe-
Hysoka: enough resting has been made here by me.
Samuel: I dont care. Rest more.
Hysoka: ..noo..!
Samuel: you are currently weak, a rest could fix that.
Hysoka: what do you mean weak..?
Samuel: currently strengthless.
Hysoka:...I thought you meant something else...
Samuel: what else could I have meant? Am i doing it again?
Hysoka: kind of.
[Flare chuckles warmly.]
Flare: Well, in that case, I will leave you two to it. Ahkai, could you help me find the Bridge? I need to see how Gray is doing.
[Ahkai opens the door.]
Ahkai: The Bridge is across this corridor.
[She points towards another door, leading to the Major Bridge.]
Ahkai: if he is not there, he is in his quarters. His quarters are behind a door labeled with the number 1.
Ahkai: I will come with you, unless Hysoka wants me here.
Hysoka: I-I, W-well, y-y-you can lead flare there..! I dont mind..!
Samuel: ..?
Flare: Take care, Hysoka.
[She turns and leaves the room.]
[Ahkai follows.]
Hysoka: thank you so much, flare!
{He waves at Flare.}
[They reach the Bridge's doors quickly, proceeding inside once they had slid open.]
Flare: Captain Gray?
Jade: He isn't here. Maybe check his quarters?
Ahkai: Right here.
[Ahkai knocks on the door.]
Ahkai: Gray?
[Faint] Gray: What?
Ahkai: I want to talk to you. Can you open the door?
[Silence, then the door slides open.]
Gray: What is-- Oh. Hello, Flare.
Flare: Greetings, Gray. You will be pleased to know that Hysoka's mind has been completely restored. Other than some light symptoms, maybe a headache, he will make a full recovery!
Gray: That's good to hear. I'm sorry I made such a mess of things.
Flare: And I apologize for being so harsh. It wasn't my place to judge your split-second judgement in the situation that led to this. Hopefully, we can both learn from this and better ourselves!
[Her body pulses a cool blue hue.]
Gray: Thank you. If you don't mind, I'd like to stay in here for a bit.
Ahkai: Do not dwell on it for too long.
Gray: I won't. I'm looking for ways to modify my nanites.
[Flare nods.]
Flare: Well, I feel my task here is done. If possible, I would like to discuss future diplomacy between you and the Convergence when the time is most appropriate. For now, I will return to the Starfire with Cobalt, for I do not wish to overstay our welcome.
Ahkai: Alright. May I accompany you to the Hangar?
Flare: Of course. Farewell, Gray.
[She quickly turns and proceeds towards the Hangar.]
Gray: Goodbye.
[Ahkai follows Flare to the Hangar.]
[On the way]
Ahkai: How did you do that? Back in Hysoka's mind. I have never seen anyone capable of all of that.
Flare: I have had many years to perfect my abilities... going by standard Earth years, I am almost 5 million years old. Over that time, I have healed many, but hurt many more...
Ahkai: That reminds me of my species. We nearly drove ourselves to extinction many times, simply experimenting.
Ahkai: We eventually made strict rules, but it got to the point where that was how we defined our eras.
Flare: Perhaps were aren't so different. We, too, have almost destroyed ourselves... we called it the "Great Fragmentation War".
Flare: It was a terrible event, spanning many millenia...
Ahkai: A war...? What happened?
Flare: In the beginning, when we were a young race, we were part of a hivemind. Everything we were, everything we did, it was done as one. Twenty-five First Borns, myself included, led our race through the void.
[She thinks for a moment.]
Flare: We met many fantastic races, special in their own unique ways, but most importantly were comprised of individuals. We had begun stagnating as a species, thus a consensus was reached; the hivemind was to be split up and we would walk not as one, but as many.
Flare: But it didn't work as well as we'd hoped. Thirteen First Borns went mad during the schism, their minds unable to cope with their thoughts alone. And so, the Great Fragmentation War began...
[She becomes visibly saddened by the recalling of those events.]
Flare: So many lives were claimed, so many innocents died... they forced us to do it...
[Ahkai slows.]
Ahkai: I... I am sorry for your losses. I had hoped your race hadn't been struck by tragedy...
[Something large suddenly approached the pair from behind.]
Cobalt: I killed every last one of them. They left us no choice.
Flare: Cobalt! I...
Cobalt: It's a fact. There's nothing else to be said for it.
{Ferra seems to follow Cobalt everywhere he goes.}
Ahkai: Cobalt. How long have you been listening?
[Cobalt huffs, a swirl of darkness bubbling inside of him.]
Cobalt: Long enough. I think it's time we departed.
Flare: Cobalt, that's no way to address our new friends!
Cobalt: Then stay here with them. You can find me on the Starfire.
[He goes on ahead, disappearing from sight.]
{Ferra stops following Cobalt. They look confused, but saddened...}
[Flare shakes her head.]
Flare: I'm sorry, Ahkai. He's not normally like this...
Ahkai: It is alright, although I am concerned about him.
Ferra: I... felt... negativity... within Cobalt... pure... unfiltered...
{They said to themself, loud enougb for everyone around to hear.}
[Flare nods.]
Flare: You are perceptive, young one. The corruption that holds him plays on his worst emotions... he has so much hate, flowing within him.
Ferra: I wish to help but... I know i most likely would fail...
{Their gray glow dims with sadness.}
[Ahkai's expression shifts.]
Ahkai: I know of a healing method that may help Cobalt. It involves him going through the memories again, but with others comforting him. It makes the memories stronger, but over time it dulls their effects. The corruption would lose strength gradually.
Ahkai: It is the same method I am currently helping Gray with.
Flare: Ahkai, have you ever encountered a Creeper Nexus before?
Ferra: But... Flare said it feeds off of power... Im not sure... I am but a mere youngling...
Ahkai: I have not...
Ferra: what is a "creeper"..?
Flare: The Loki fill the Nexi they create with unimaginable hate for existence. They desire nothingness. I'm telling you this, because Cobalt came into contact with a fragment of one... it filled him with this hate. I tried to purge it, but I only made it worse... the best I could do was to isolate him from Loki control.
Ahkai: I see... I had hoped that would work.
Ahkai: I am sorry I brought it up again.
Ferra: If Prismatic couldnt then... oh my... I...
{They start to get a mix of feelings, but try to remain with a neutral face.}
Flare: You couldn't have known. At least, he won't be a threat to us. Fighting the Collective and GalCorp has allowed him to vent his hate somewhat...
Ahkai: I am glad you are with him.
[They reach the Hangar.]
Ahkai: I would like to keep in touch with you. Do you have a transponder in the Starfire?
[Flare turns to Ahkai, lowering herself slightly.]
Flare: I will give you something much better.
[She reaches out, gently brushing her crystalline hand against the side of Ahkai's head. In that instant, their minds connected; Flare gave Ahkai a very special gift.]
Flare: Transponders have limited range, but this does not. Wherever you are, you will always be able to hear my song and communicate with me instantly.
[She breaks off the connection, leaving behind a warm soothing glow.]
Ahkai: Thank you. I look forward to the next time we meet.
Flare: Farewell, Ahkai. I feel we will meet again soon.
[With that, Flare jumps through the atmospheric containment field and into space, gliding back towards the Starfire, glistening in the distance.]
{Ferra waves at Flare.}
Ferra: goodbye, prismatic! Hehehe!
[Flare glances back toward Ferra and Ahkai one last time, glowing brightly and beautifully as a way to wave goodbye, before disappearing into the Starfire. The grand crystalline station rotated away from the Endurance, vanishing into hyperspace.]
[Ahkai turns away from the containment field.]
Ahkai: Come on, Ferra. We should go meet up with the others.
Ferra: sure thing!
{Ferra hovered along Ahkai.}
[Ahkai walks into the corridors and speaks into her comms.]
Ahkai: Oliver, please collapse the Hangar.
Oliver: No problem.
[The Hangar shrinks, the Higgs Crystals used returning to storage.]
[Normal]
Ahkai: Ferra, how are you feeling?
Ferra: I... feel good! thanks for asking! Hehe!
[Ahkai seems surprised.]
Ahkai: I am glad. Let us go return to Samuel and Hysoka.
Ferra: Sure thing! Hehe!
[Ferra and Ahkai head back to the Bridge Corridors.]
{They see Samuel taking notes, as per ussual, but he could also be seen conversing with Jade.}
[Ahkai sees the two conversing, and smiles.]
[Fast forward a few days.]
[Gray has recovered as much as he can, Jade and Samuel have completed their software. Ahkai has been checking in on everybody periodically, and they have created a large facility where they can begin building and testing the new ships.]
[Inside the testing facility]
[Gray looks out a window, staring at the inert core of their experiment.]
Gray: Samuel, how confident are you that this will work?
Samuel: According to my calculations, there is little possibility for error. Jade did an excellent job with the ship-body control protocols. I am confident it will work.
Gray: Alright. Ahkai, Jade, are you ready to witness the magic?
Jade: Ready as I'll ever be!
Ahkai: I am. Hysoka?
Hysoka: ready!
Gray: Fantastic. Samuel, would you like to do the honors?
Samuel: I'd like to pass them onto Jade, thank you very much.
Jade: Oh? Thank you.
[She brushes some stray hair behind her ear.]
Jade: Research teams, initiate startup sequence and prepare for energy transference. Oliver, turn on the energy transfer unit. We're on.
[The Endurance's port activates, sending a stream of directed energy into the experiment's core.]
Jade: I'd advise looking away for a moment.
[The core gets brighter and brighter. At its peak, it glows like a newborn star.]
[Ahkai, Gray, and Jade look away as the core becomes brighter and brighter.]
{Hysoka covers his organic eye, watching it happen with his robotic eye.}
Hysoka: ITS WORKING!
Jade: Teams, prepare to enter stage two! Upload the consciousness codes in pulses.
[The core's glow dies down.]
Jade: Consciousness is fully uploaded. Check the readings; make sure there's no abnormalities from what we expected.
[Over comms] Oliver: Jade, it's taking nearly double the energy we estimated it would.
Jade: Is it a problem?
Oliver: No, but where would that extra power be going?
Jade: It's building a hull. We didn't expect it to happen yet, but that's why it's an experiment. We learn.
Oliver: Fine. I'll prepare the transporters for when it goes wrong.
[Jade rolls her eyes and hangs up.]
Jade: Enter stage three. Relay the activation codes and the corresponding templates!
{Samuel checks his tablet.}
Samuel: power output at around 200%. Hull construction initiating.
<Warning: Proximity Alert. Hyperspace Signatures Detected.>
Samuel: ....no mames...
{He said with a visibly angry face, unnusual from him.}
Hysoka: what? What is wrong?
Samuel: ....hydraxils...
[Over comms] Leah: We've got incoming! Shut it down!
Jade: We've come too far to back out.
Leah: Listen to reason, Jade. It could be Hydraxils!
[Jade disconnects her comm.]
Leah: Jade. Jade! Dammit... Oliver, evacuate everyone, starting with the research teams. Put them in the Lounge, the Passenger Quarters, anywhere. Just get them out.
Oliver: Alright.
[One by one, the scientists are teleported into the Endurance.]
Hysoka: WHAT?! SHUT IT DO-
Samuel: unable. I contacted Alex. He is calling in the defense team. ...that being everything, basically.
[Large hyperspace apertures open nearby, within the defence perimeter; numerous Hydraxil vessels materialize, including three standard Dreadnoughts that open fire on the station's perimeter defences.]
Unit 7564: Proceeding with retrieval. Hostile elements will be neutralized.
Samuel: Jade! We must initiate stage 3! Alex's forces will deal with the hydraxils!
Jade: I hear you. Teams, start the final stage! Awaken the consciousness!
Gray: No. No, no, no. Jade, shut it down. We need to leave, now.
Jade: No, Gray. I'm seeing this through till the end. It's the first programming job that I actually like.
Samuel: I will not. Let this die. Hydraxil pendejos de...
Gray: Oliver, get us out of here!
Oliver: We're already evacuating the research teams. It will take a minute.
Gray: Then you'd better hurry. They're tearing the station apart.
Samuel: I WILL NOT LEAVE UNTIL THE TRANSFERING STARTS.
Gray: It is transferring! We need to go, or we'll all die!
Ahkai: Hysoka, come with me. I am getting us out of here.
[Amid the chaos of the Collective ships engaging anything that moved, one of the Motherships beelined for the station's main structure. It reconfigured, clamping onto the station's hull with an awful wrenching sound; numerous boarding tubules snaked out from within the Mothership, slamming into the buckled hull to unleash a swarm of deadly war constructs.]
Samuel: no... no...
Hysoka: god dammit, Samuel!
{Hysoka lifts Samuel, and makes a power sprint towards the exit}
Hysoka: get us out of here!
Samuel: NOOOO!
[The constructs flooded the corridors, tearing through locked blast doors and cutting down any scientists that hadn't been teleported away yet. Large groups of them split off towards the major systems, including towards the Command Tower.]
Ahkai: This way!
[She begins heading towards the shuttles, unaware of the Collective soldiers in her path.]
Hysoka: WATCH I--OUT!--I
{He said, an arm turning into a beam, his eye changing into a cyan crosshair.}
[A short ways down the corridor, one of the blast doors exploded; several war constructs swarmed through the smoke, firing at the scientists.]
Ahkai: What--
[She jumps and draws the Energy Katana she brought with her.]
Hysoka: I--ENOUGH.--I
{He drops Samuel towards the direction of Ahkai, forming a sturdy Exo-suit. He begins angrily firing at the constructs.}
Hysoka: I--DIIIIIIIE!!--I
[Meanwhile, Gray is still trying to convince Jade to leave.]
Gray: Jade. We either leave now, or die.
Jade: I told you, I'm seeing this through!
Gray: Fine.
[On comms] Gray: Oliver, get Jade out of here. This is a top priority order.
Oliver: No problem.
[Jade vanishes, appearing in the Bridge of the Endurance.]
Jade: NO!! Oliver, you get me back down there, now!
Oliver: Sorry, Jade. You're not leaving the Endurance.
[Back on the station, Gray sprints out of the Command Tower. He follows the corridor Ahkai and Hysoka left through.]
[Shots are traded between Hysoka and the marauding constructs; a huge variety of assimilated species were here, from humanoids to insectoids, molluscoids, terrifying reptilians and even some plantoids. One of the cobra-like constructs slithered up to one of the escaping scientists, wrapping him in its coils until the crunching of bone could be heard.]
[Gray runs into the trio in the corridor.]
Gray: Get down!
[Gray charges his arm cannon and lets loose a large beam of pure energy, derived straight from the Entanglement Drive in the Endurance.]
{Hysoka hears the crunching bones of the scientist, reminding him of something... tears could be seen going down his eye, merging both arms into a far more powerful beam.}
Hysoka: I==ý̡ou̸̕͜ ̧͟h̵͜a͞v̛ȩ͠ a͏n͜g̨e̷̕ŕ͟͡ed̢́͢ ͜m̴è̕͢.̶͠==I
{He says, before firing.}
[As constructs are cut down by the onslaught, more move in to replace them. A terrifyingly huge leviathan of a construct comes charging through the destroyed blast door, its personal shields deflecting the incoming beams into the surrounding walls. It appeared to be some sort of giant sentient plant, letting out a screeching roar at the defenders.]
{Hysoka, blinded by pure hatred, upgraded his exo-suit to exceed the size of the construct.}
Hysoka: I==C̸̛̀O͢M҉͏͞E̶҉ A̷̛T̴ ̛͜͞M҉̴͡Ę͠!̛͞͡==I
[The plantoid construct hissed slightly, slamming its leafy limbs into the floor. Thick vines suddenly appear from beneath the floor plating, wrapping themselves around everyone in the corridor.]
{Hysoka upgrades his exo-suit to contain forward thrusters. He begins charging at the construct.}
[Gray lets loose a battle cry of his own, before his nanites swirl around him. He becomes encased in armor. Gray rips himself out of the vines and charges at the leviathan construct. His arm shifts again, this time becoming a laser cannon. He pushes forward, merely slowed by the shield, and fires the cannon at point-blank range.]
[Ahkai uses her Energy Katana to project a shield around her and Samuel, cutting away the vines trapping them.]
Samuel: Thank you so much..
{He says, scurriedly standing up.}
[The plantoid leviathan recoils, roaring loudly. It suddenly whips out at Gray, striking him with incredible force. It then braces for the approaching Hysoka, taking the brunt of the impact with surprising efficiency, grinding to a halt on the steel floor.]
[More constructs move in to take advantage of Hysoka and Gray being distracted, swarming towards Samuel, Ahkai and any other fleeing scientist that just about managed to free themselves from the tangle of vines.]
Gray: YOU THINK YOU'RE TOUGH!?
[Gray's armor forms whips of its own, entangling the plant leviathan and pinning it.
Gray: YOU DON'T KNOW THE MEANING OF THE WORD!!!
Hysoka: I===H͘R̢̕͘R̵͢A̡͡҉A̷̡A̴̛͠A̸͏̕A͡A̵̶͘A̶̧̧A̵̧͝A̶̷̢A̵Ą̕͝Á̷͢҉̷̛A̷̕͜A̧̨͟Á̸̢===I
{Screamed Hysoka, making a massive upgrade to his armour. 8 Spider-like legs extend from the suit, striking the plantoid down again. Each leg contained a different weapon.}
[The entire corridor shakes violently all of a sudden, thunderous explosions rocketing up and down the station.]
<Warning: Reactor Core Safeguards Non-Functional. Evacuate Immediately.>
Samuel: SOMEONE GET US THE HECK OUT OF HERE!
{screamed Samuel in his glasses.}
[On the Endurance]
Enodus: Oliver, get me down there.
Oliver: What? No! You would die!
[An ominous smile forms on Enodus's face.]
Enodus: Please. You have not seen what I am capable of.
Oliver: ...Fine. At the first sign of you being injured, I'm getting you out.
[Enodus grabs four Energy Katanas from the Bridge Armory before being teleported to the station, standing right next to Ahkai.]
[Enodus lets out a roar, before joining the fray. He takes down soldier after soldier, not pausing for even a second. He dispatches the leviathan easily, and continues moving.]
[Enodus then clears a path through the hall, using telekinesis alone.]
Enodus: GO!
Hysoka: I=..́.͠.w҉h͟y̡ e͜v͞ęn try...=I
{Hysoka's armour contracts back to a simple exo-suit, quickly retreating to lift Samuel again, later power sprinting towards the exit.}
Samuel: CAN YOU STOP THAT?! I GOT LEGS AS-
Hysoka: SHUT UP.
<Warning: Reactor Core Meltdown Imminent.>
[Ahkai runs, with Gray following. Gray's armor twists back into an exo, increasing his running speed.]
[As the reactor failed, the power systems began to collapse too. The emergency bulkheads began to close as each section of the station gradually lost power.]
[On comms] Gray: Get us out!
Oliver: No problem. Energizing the transporters. Prepare for the jump.
[Gray vanishes, with Ahkai next. Enodus follows, then Hysoka and Samuel.]
{Hysoka drops Samuel and removes his exo-suit, seemingly staring at nothing.}
[A vast explosion suddenly tore through the station as the reactor detonated, pulverizing anything and anyone left onboard.]
Gray: Rhodes, jump us out, NOW!
[The Endurance leaves the system in the blink of an eye.]
{from the station's explosion, the core, seemingly unharmed or rebuilding, launched out of it, easily mistakable for debris.}
[The Collective ships chased away any other fleeing ships until they jumped away, turning back to salvage the station's corpse.]
[Gray's armor retracts completely.]
Gray: ALWAYS at the most inopportune times!
Ahkai: At least they did not attack during the upgrade.
[Gray closes his eyes and calms himself.]
Gray: Jade, go count the survivors. I want to know how many people made it off that death trap.
[Jade leaves the bridge, scowling.]
Jade: Just great. We didn't get anything done, and all of our research went down the drain.
[Jade gets a headcount of the scientists Oliver teleported, then reports back to Gray.]
Jade: There are just under seven hundred survivors out of the one thousand scientists. Not one member of the engineering staff there survived.
Gray: Alright. We need to get back to the TPC system and drop the survivors off. I don't want any more surprises hitting us.
Rhodes: Preparing the Tunnel-Jump Drive. Standby for FTL.
[The Endurance jumps back into the safety of the TPC system, inside the planetary ring.]
Samuel: maldita sea pendejos hydraxils de...
{Samuel began to swear in another language under his breath.}
[Ahkai steps towards Hysoka.]
Ahkai: Are you alright, Hysoka?
Hysoka:.... why even try...
{He said, dropping to the floor, tearing.}
Hysoka: After all I did... Enodus just... and so easily... and...
[Ahkai kneels down with him.]
Ahkai: Enodus is the most powerful natural psionic from my world. At his best, nobody could match him except Flare, and maybe Cobalt.
[Ahkai falls silent for a moment.]
Ahkai: After the scientists have left, would you like to come with me to the Lounge? I would like to show you something.
Hysoka:...alright...
Gray: Alex. Where do we drop off the survivors?
Alex: Somewhere in the Capital or near it. You can always dock in the shipyards to let them all out at once.
Gray: Rhodes, get us to the closest docking point in the shipyards.
[Without a word, Rhodes pilots the Endurance into a shipyard, docking with the shipyard via an extendable umbilical, extending from the hull. Gray gets on a microphone, talking to the rescued scientists.]
Gray: We've docked with a TPC shipyard. Move to the left side of the Endurance and you will see the exit. You are free to leave at any time.
Alex: ...poor fellas will be traumatized... again...
Gray: Again?
Alex: you know... the hydraxils came to our planet before... Its mainly the reason why we even have so many ships..! ....heh...
Gray: Like what Samuel said...
Alex: yyep. ....sigh...
[Ahkai watches the conversation unfold.]
Ahkai: Hysoka, perhaps we could talk in the room where we slept before?
Hysoka: hmm? Oh, yeah, sure..
{He was still feeling down.}
Ahkai: Come with me.
[Ahkai walks towards the room.]
{Hysoka follows, almost zombie-like with how empty he currently looks.}
[Ahkai closes the door behind them.]
Ahkai: Enodus has more trouble controlling his abilities than you realize. On board the Endurance, he has lost control twice. Before that... I know of at least ten times, and I was not even there for most of them.
Hysoka: I... that is not exactly helping...
Ahkai: I am not very good at explaining what I mean in words... I never have been. I believe what I am trying to say is... Everybody is strong in their own way. Enodus has his psionic abilities, Gray has his knowledge of quantum-whatever... You have your compassion, which is something many of us lack. You are creative, energetic, clever. You are a lot of things that... that we are just not.
[Ahkai hesitates before continuing.]
Ahkai: Enodus would trade his abilities away in a heartbeat if it meant he could be like you. And... So would I. I would trade anything if I could just... Feel, be strong, like you are.
[Tears form in Ahkai's eyes.]
Hysoka: ...Ahkai....
{He goes and hugs her, wiping her tears off of her face.}
Hysoka: I... you dont want to be me... stay... yourself... you are beautiful that way... ...I am the opposite...
{He hugs her again.}
Hysoka: I feel, indeed... I feel pain. From my origins... from my assimilation... ...from being a hazard to even those I care about...
Hysoka: I am strong, indeed, but at what cost..? I would have never been like this if it werent for you guys... and wouldnt have been here without the pain... both caused to me and that I caused...
Hysoka: I mostly have no motivation anymore to do anything, due to feeling like a worthless sack of trash... and the motivation I find is temporary, fading out as soon as i start doing whatever i felt motivated to do, making an endless cycle of achieving nothing in this life....
Hysoka:........I... apologize...
[Tears begin falling from Ahkai's face.]
Ahkai: No, do not apologize. You have not done anything that warrants it. I should be the one apologizing. I put you in danger... I wish I could have done better for you... I wish... I wish...
[Ahkai hugs Hysoka and begins crying.]
Ahkai: I am so sorry... I... All I want is to help people, help you. All I have managed to do is hurt people... I hurt you...
[Ahkai is wracked with quiet sobs.]
Ahkai: You have saved my life twice now, even after I hurt you. Why do you continue to help me?
[Ahkai looks into Hysoka's eyes.]
Ahkai: What could you possibly see in me?
{Hysoka seems to get lost while staring at her in the eyes.}
Hysoka: ...far more... than you think...
Ahkai: Thank... Thank you...
[Ahkai hugs Hysoka, not knowing what else to do.]
{Hysoka hugs back.}
Hysoka: I... am sorry if that came out as too weird...
[That gets a small laugh out of Ahkai, despite her flowing tears.]
Ahkai: It did not...
[Ahkai lets go, smiling slightly.]
Hysoka: ...heh...
{He notices her smile, and starts blushing.}
Hysoka: heheh... I uhh... heh...
{He laughs nervously, unable to find something to say.}
[Ahkai blushes.]
Ahkai: I... I do not know what to say, other than...thank you. Thank you so, so much.
Hysoka: I should be thanking you, Ahkai... for everything...
Ahkai: I...
[She leans in and pecks Hysoka on the cheek, blushing furiously.]
Hysoka: E-eek.....?!
{He started furiously blushing aswell, burrying his face within his arms.}
Ahkai: I... Should I not have done that...?
Hysoka: nOOnonono, its ok! Its ok..!
[Ahkai is still blushing.]
Ahkai: I have never done that before... I do not know what came over me.
Hysoka: Its fine, it really is..! It... it just surprised me is all..!
{His face turns completely red.}
Hysoka: I just... I... hooof.... is it me or... is it... hot in here..?
[Ahkai sighs, smiling wider.]
Ahkai: A little bit. Is it bothersome?
Hysoka: I... I dont think.... is it for for you..? I dont think so if you dont..! Heheh..!
{He is already feeling like he is somehow screwing up, getting increasingly anxious.}
[Ahkai chuckles.]
Ahkai: It is not. Come here.
[She pulls Hysoka in for another hug.]
Ahkai: For real, this time. No sadness, just...
[Ahkai doesn't finish her sentence.]
Hysoka: Yea, I like those too...
{He feels like he screws something up everytime he opens his mouth. He just hugs her back after that.}
[Ahkai says nothing, preferring to stay silent throughout the embrace.]
Hysoka:...heh.... I feel like... returning the favour somehow...
Ahkai: What favor do you mean?
{Hysoka swiftly gives her a little kiss on the cheek, going back to how he was soon after.}
Hysoka: that on-
{He couldnt even finish his sentence due to intense blushing.}
Ahkai: You're so cute when you blush.
{That makes hysoka's face turn completely red again.}
Hysoka: s-s-so are... so are y-you..!
[Ahkai blushes again.]
Ahkai: Thank you.
Hysoka: heheheh..! Heh-yeah..! Heheh..!
{He laughs nervously. His face cannot possibly turn any more red...}

[close]

[TripleKings]

Yet another copy-over. Apparently, the last one nearly reached the 150k-character limit.

Personal thoughts

I honestly don't know how we manage to do that...

[close]

Copy-over

[In light of the recent attack, Gray believes the Endurance could use another upgrade. He talks to Oliver and West about it, and they agree. The Entanglement Drive shuts down safely, and the Endurance begins the upgrade. Its rear plating slowly expands, allowing new machines to be built upon it. For three days, Gray, West, and Oliver take turns watching over it. At the end of the three days, they begin building the new machines. Slowly but steadily, large superweapons take form. Their stands form, then their pivot, and finally the barrels. The Endurance gains three Annihilator Cannons, high-powered turrets each capable of taking out a small vessel. During this time, the Endurance does not move. People casually talk, temporarily forgetting their tragedies. After the upgrade is completed, the Drive comes back online. Jade gets an alert on her handheld console and tells Gray.]
Jade: Gray, there's an energy signature in an unclaimed system. It looks remarkably similar to our own.
Gray: How is that possible? Our Drive is the only one in existence.
Jade: It's possible our research survived the explosion. Can we check?
Gray: Fine. Go tell Samuel about it, I'm sure he'll want to hear this.
[Jade runs to the Lounge, yelling Samuel's name.]
Jade: Samuel! I think the core survived the explosion!
Samuel: .........
{Samuel calmly turns off his tablet, folds it, and puts it in his pocket.}
Samuel: ........WHAT??
Jade: We found an energy signature that matches what it gave off when we made it! Get a fleet together, let's go find it!
Samuel: absolutely!
{He calls Alex in his glasses.}
Samuel: Alex! Wonderful news!
{He walks off, talking with Alexander.}
[Ahkai hears this, being in the Lounge at the time.]
Ahkai: It sounds like the research they did was not in vain. Hysoka, would you like to return to your ship?
Hysoka: If I go to my ship, the core might consider us a threat. Get scared. Its best for me to stay here and accompany you.
[Ahkai nods.]
Ahkai: Then, would you accompany me to the Bridge?
Hysoka: O-of course..!
[Ahkai begins walking towards the Bridge.]
{Hysoka walks along.}
Ahkai: I wonder what we will find.
Hysoka: I wonder if it even activated...
{He said to himself, scratching his head.}
Ahkai: The energy signature could mean the safeguard works.
Hysoka: hmm... yeah, you are right.. that was some stupid thinking from part of me...
Ahkai: No, it was not. It could be something else entirely.
Hysoka: and again... stupid thinking from my part...
{He said, feeling like a dummy now..}
Ahkai: I am saying, you could be right. It may not have activated. I believe you were correct. If it activated, I think we would have seen the energy signature by now.
{Hysoka just silently nods, not even trying to add anything else.}
[Ahkai sighs.]
Ahkai: Did I do it again?
Hysoka: wh- nOOnonono, its fine! Dont worry!
[Ahkai thinks it is best to change the subject.]
Ahkai: Have you ever thought of what you would do after this is all over? After the Collective is gone?
Hysoka:...I dont think I will even be alive for when that happens...
{He said, his voice turning increasingly sad.}
Ahkai: You will. I will do everything in my power to make it so.
Hysoka:... Ahkai...
{Hysoka felt the need to go and hug her, so he did so.}
[Ahkai returns the hug, not knowing what else to say.]
{Samuel unintentionally interrupts them}
Samuel: Hysok-
Hysoka: EEK?!
{Hysoka jumps.}
Samuel: calm down, I just need to talk to you for a bit.
Hysoka:... okay..?
{Samuel walks off, back to taking notes on his tablet.}
[Ahkai chuckles.]
Ahkai: Should I join you?
Hysoka: s-sure..!
{Hysoka starts walking along Ahkai to meet with Samuel}
Ahkai: I wonder what he wants to talk about...
Hysoka: yeah...
{He said, somewhat angry, but trying to not let it show too much.}
Samuel: Samso-
{He notices Ahkai coming along.}
Samuel: ....she cant hear.
Hysoka: ...no?
Samuel: negative.
Ahkai: I understand. I will be in the Bridge, Hysoka.
[She leaves.]
Hysoka: o-ok..
Samuel: ...hmmhmm...
Hysoka: huh..?
Samuel: have you told Alex who you truly are yet?
Hysoka: I havent seen him, so I havent, no. Why is that?
Samuel: ...just wondering.
Hysoka: ...uhh huh.. what are you planning?
Samuel: be more specific. I plan many things.
Hysoka: ...nevermind.
{Samuel goes back to writing on his tablet.}
Hysoka: wait... was that it? You interrupt me like that just to tell me that?
Samuel: i thought you were always available.
Hysoka: not always..! You need to respect my free time, brother!
Samuel: you make ship templates in your free time when you have absolutely nothing else to do. What are you talking about?
Hysoka: I uhhh...
{Samuel looks up to hysoka, then started thinking...}
Samuel: ...oh i see...
Hysoka: s-see what?
Samuel: what?
Hysoka: what?
Samuel: yeah, I forgot.
Hysoka: ...ok?
Samuel: yep...
Hysoka: uhh huh..?
Samuel: yeah, I will go back to...
Hysoka: and I will just...
{Samuel begins walking around, back to taking notes, while hysoka walks to the bridge.}
[At the Bridge]
Gray: Ahkai, are you ready to go?
Ahkai: I am, but I would like to wait until Hysoka joins us here.
Gray: Alright.
[Ahkai stands by the exit, waiting for Hysoka.]
{Hysoka meets up wih Ahkai.}
Hysoka: Ahkai..!
Ahkai: Hello, Hysoka. How was your talk with Samuel?
Hysoka: Ehhh... I can never tell what he wants at any given time anyways.
{Hysoka shrugs.}
Ahkai: I see. Well, are you ready for FTL?
Hysoka: I am ready!
Ahkai: Okay. Go ahead, Gray.
[Gray nods.]
Gray: Rhodes, get us to the location of that signal.
Rhodes: Standby for FTL. 3... 2... 1...
[The Endurance jumps, appearing in the same system as the signal.]
{What they find is many ships starting to swarm them. Within each of the ships seem to be a copy of the core, acting as an eye of sorts.}
Gray: That's...interesting... Someone go get Samuel. The experiment was a success.
Rhodes: I'll get him.
[He runs off to bring Samuel to the bridge.]
{Samuel could be seen walking around, writing on his tablet as per ussual.}
Rhodes: We need you in the bridge. We, uh... Found something.
Samuel: hmm?
{He walks to the bridge.}
Samuel: whats th-
{He saw whats outside the window.
He remained silent, but visibly excited.}
Gray: Uh... Hello. This is Gray, captain of the Endurance. Can you hear me?
{static could be heard in the comm channels. After a while, voices could finally be heard coming through.}
???: is... this working..?
??: ask who they are first...
?: they dont look like hydraxils...
????: they arent attacking on sight... that is a plus...
???: uhh... hello..?
<Another warp in. This one has a blue cloud around it.>
Gray: ...The Hydraxils got to you, too?
static
static: Hello?
static: Oh, Gray's on this channel.
static: We're the CMC.
CMC: We're with Gray.
?: they know about them..?
??: they must be friendlies then.
????: something else came in!
???: what are you all doing here anyways??
?????: be kinder to them...
??????: who are all of them anyways?
?: they arent attacking either..
??: what is this cluster?
???: why are all of you here, may I ask?
Gray: We saw a strange energy signature. It matched our own, and we wanted to find out why. West, dump a small amount of energy from storage. Show them.
West: Dumping.
[The ED creates a small energy signature, invisible from outside the current system.]
CMC: We just came because they came. Strange energy signatures can be fun to examine.
{Samuel swiftly writes down on his tablet, so excited he is actually doing small jumps while doing so.}
??: It... we can smell it... it smells like...
many of the ships turn to stare at the small station, seemingly conformed of 2 fused ships.
Gray: Smells like...?
[Jade can barely contain her excitement.]
????????: uhh... heheh... we can... we can explain...
?: shut up.
????????: you dare say that to your ruler?!
??: you are no ruler anymore. Not after what you did.
????????: wha?!? You cant just..!
the station splits into 2 ships.
????????1: do that to us!
????????2: do that to your originals!
????: you deserve nothing no longer. You have become corrupted.
{The ships turn to see ????.}
????????1: you dare?!
????????2: ceize this insulting!
[Gray looks over to Jade and sees that her face is turning red from excitement.]
Gray: I think Jade has something she would like to say.
Jade: I...I think we created you originally!
Samuel: YES!
{He was just as, if not, more excited than Jade was.}
{The ships all turned to the endurance either shocked, surprised, happy, angry, or something inbetween.}
Gray: Okay, not the reaction I was expecting...
[He turns his attention to the Atomas.]
Gray: Please don't start shooting at us.
<The CMC predicting an encounter starts moving towards the Endurance, ready to defend the ship>
????????1: y-you...
????????2: created us?!
{They happily orbit around the endurance.}
????????1: such joy!
????????2: we have finally met our creators!
?: well... why did you abandon us.?
??: {Smacks '?' With what seems to be a metallic wing.} Dont say that! They must have a valid reason!
Jade: Abandoned? We got attacked by the Hydraxil. Last we saw, you got ejected out into deep space by the explosion.
????????1: explosion?
????????2: hrrgh... hydraxils...
????: oh. Yeah, thats comforting. We are accidents. Fan-
{?? Smacks ???? With his metallic wing.}
??: dont anger them, dammit!
Gray: You are not accidents. We intended to make you, but the Hydraxils forced us out of the system and blew up the facility we were using. You were already complete when they did, and the explosion only threw you into this system.
????????1: you hear that, my children?
????????2: we arent accidents!
??: see? It is the demons. Always the demons!
?: they are the hydraxils, not demons. Dumb Gravit..
[In the distance, far from the encounter, an inconspicuous comet floats by.]
Gray: Demons? You're superstitious?
????: at least gravits are. Lil dum dums believe in stuffs like techno-demons.
??: hey! We arent dum dums!
????: yeah you are.
??: yeah we are..... wait, no we' re not!
????: {chuckles.}
Gray: So, what do you call yourselves?
????????1: oh, creators! Feast upon the sight of your flourishing creation!
????????2: we call ourselves the Atomas!
????????1: all of this and more at your command!
?: ...I dont even know them yet.
??: you want us to follow them?
????: I'd rather go to the epicluster 5 than follow your corrupt thrusters or their unknown motives.
Jade: Atomas? Interesting...
Gray: What did they do that made you deem them as "corrupted"?
{Samuel simply excitedly takes notes about the "Atomas".}
?: they made the one mistake they swore not to repeat due to power lust.
????????1: p-power lust?!
????????2: us?! Your ORIGINALS?!
????: well yea.
??: so there is a limit... you prolly know bout it... where they emit that aura of energy.
????: we learned the hard way it is hydraxil lure...
??: the bigger the cluster, the more power they emitted.
????: the corrupt idiots grew waaaay past that limit.
{The responsible ships stay there... embarrassed.}
[The comet continues to tumble silently through space, its majestic tail of ice and gas stretching out behind it. A dark shimmer, undetected, hides within the comet's tail.]
<???>: Hehehe.
{A specific group of the Atomas, seemingly stationary, seem to be agonizing due to the dark laughter suddenly present within their minds.}
???: HNGH... HRRGH.... AAAAHHH!
?: Hibos?! The hell has gotten to all of you Hibosi?!
Gray: What the hell is that? Jade, run a sector sweep. Scan all quantum wavelengths. Leah, weapons up. Be ready for anything.
[Without a word, Jade starts scanning.]
Leah: ACs too?
Gray: Yes. Charge 'em up.
[Leah laughs.]
Leah: YES! FINALLY!
[The Annihilator cannons' light strips glow an ominous purple and begin pivoting, ready for anything to appear.]
CMC: Ooo, cool weapons.
CMC: Activating amp gems...
Jade: There's an anomaly near that comet. There's nothing inside it, but it's... odd.
Gray: Leah, target that anomaly. If anything appears, turn it to slag.
Leah: No problem.
[The ACs pivot and focus on the dark, shimmering field.]
[The comm system crackles.]
<???>: Ehehehe.
{The already agonizing Atomas seem to scream louder. Other ships go and try to comfort them.}
[The shimmer moves very fast suddenly, appearing and disappearing in seemingly random places around the meeting place. All the while, a powerful feeling of foreboding permeates the region.]
Leah: What the hell was that!?
Jade: The anomaly moved!
Gray: I really don't like this...
<???>: Ghosts in the machine. Ghosts in space. Do you believe in ghosts? Ehehehe.
Gray: As a matter of fact, I don't. SHOW YOURSELF!
??: Its the demons again! Its the big devil again! He is here! I recognize that weird darkness!
<???>: It wouldn't be as much fun to spoil the surprise. Perhaps you think yourself able to defend your ship. Ghosts can travel anywhere at anytime, ehehehe.
Gray: You're no ghost. I'll tell you again: Show yourself!
<Warning: massive spatial cascade event detected.>
Jade: We've got FTL signatures inbound!
Gray: Is the anomaly still moving?
Jade: Yes, it's still 'porting around.
Gray: Then let em in, Leah. Don't fire on them.
<???>: Oh, new arrivals? Hmhmhm.
<Warning: hypercapital signature on inbound course.
Total armament could not be determined.
Total defense system output could not be determined.
Total engine power could not be determined.
Warning: crew count is of the scale.>
[The shimmer suddenly disappears.]
Jade: The signature is huge! Whatever it is, it's the size of a small planet.
[Jade's console beeps.]
Jade: The anomaly's gone!
Gray: Perform another search. Track that thing down!
Gray: Enodus, deploy the fleet. Get ready for a fight. Leah, aim the ACs at the exit point.
{?? Starts shivering at the thought of ghosts haunting him and making him kill his brethen.
All the ???s stop agonizing as soon as the shimmer left.}
<Warning. Hypercapital signature on final approach.>
???: something is coming! Something BIG!
Gray: I know, I see it.
??: OHH MY GOODNESS IS THE HAUNTED CLUSTER!
?: you can stop now. Seriously. Its not funny anymore.
????: as scaredy gravits can be, gotta love 'em.
??: aww. Love ya too.
????: not like that ya dummy.
??: well not like that to you too!... dummy..er! Yeah!
?: stop it you two. What are you, Quarks?
Jade: It's almost here!
a massive, cylindrical spaceship exits warp, about 30 kilometers in length, several kilometers in diameter and featuring 10 supercolliders wrapping around the outer Hull
???: thats... woah okay.
??: Its a haunted cl-
?: STOP.
Gray: And I thought we had a big ship... The thing probably maneuvers like a brick. Leah, don't fire on them. We have something else to worry about currently.
Leah: Just one shot from an AC?
Gray: No. We're not here to make more enemies, regardless of our capabilities.
Leah: Aw...
a small energy surge is detected on one of the two towers on opposite sides of the cylinder
Gray: Focus primary shields. Something's happening.
[A surge of energy courses across the Endurance's hull for a moment.]
<Incoming hail>
???: energy surge. Its... a hail..?
??: whats a "hail"?
?: its a greeting.
???: establishing connection... ... ... Hello? Can you hear me?
Jade: They're hailing us.
Gray: Answer the call.
Rafael: This is Commanding officer Rafael Hoffman if the UFWS-A "Explorer of Stars". We come in peace with the intention to survey this system and research an anomaly.
Gray: This is Gray Ulrich, captain of the Endurance. Which anomaly are you referring to?
Rafael: intense radiation values.
?: radiation, ehh...?
many, if not all the ships turn to see the originals next to the endurance.
????????1: umm...
????????2: h-heheh...
Gray: That's actually why we're here, too. Say hello to the Atomas.
???: g-greetings!
?: such a massive beauty..!
??: calm yourselves neutrons..
Rafael: alrighty.
Gray: For now, though, we're dealing with something that is calling itself a ghost. It seems to take the form of an extremely mobile spatial anomaly.
Neutrons: Gravit.. get off my thrusters and mind yours..
Gravit: hey! How bout you mind your own aswell!?
Neutrons: we already do, in fact.
Gravit: ......ok then! Keep doing that!
Rafael: alright?
Iokthaeks: "ghost" hmm?
Gravit: It is a ghost!
????: no its not
Gravit: yes it is, Webos!
Webos: no its not, ya dummy!
Gray: I don't believe in ghosts. It'll show its face eventually, and when it does it'll get a face full of pure, destructive energy.
Iokthaeks: heh. Sounds very familiar, your weapon there.
???: who?
Webos: not talking to ya, Hibos.
Hibos: its hard getting used to these "Comm channels"...
[The dark shimmer reappears briefly, watching from afar.]
Iokthaeks: contact with the anomaly...
{The nearby Hibosi feel a slight headache.}
Hibos: Hngh... its... he is...
Webos: whats wrong, Hibos?
Jade: The anomaly's back! It's farther away from us than before.
Gray: And there it is...
Savis''''''': sensors, what is that thing?
<Hyperspace signatures detected, identifier: UESO>
[sensors officer]: on it-we got incoming FTL signatures. Hyperdrives. Identifying as "UESO".
Rafael: affirmative.
Jade: FTL signatures inbound. The identifier reads... UESO?
[Gray sighs.]
Gray: More people. Great.
<???>: So many souls, together in one place. It is fascinating how fates cross so readily, ehehehe.
Rafael: Sensors, what the hell is that?
Iokthaeks: oh come on. Not that thing...
Five ships drop out of orbit: three destroyers and a smaller dreadnought.
Teki: Hello, this is Grand Teki from the UESO. I don't have hostile intentions.
<A small bubble starts moving from the big particle bubble and surrounds the UESO, protecting it.>
CMC: Hello!
Rafael: Iok, please elaborate.
Iokthaeks: aye... communications, close all active channels.
<Contact terminated.>
Gray: Greetings, Teki.
Teki: Hello. Do you guys know what that random transmission was?
Gray: That is what we're trying to figure out.
{The hibos repeat go back to agonized screaming as soon as the transmission reached them.}
Gravit: THE GHOST IS BACK! HE IS BACK!!
<Incoming hail.>
[Gray accepts the hail.]
Rafael: alright. Can confirm it's hostile.
Teki: Should I call in reinforcements?
Teki asked the Gravit in a confused voice.
Gray: Yeah. Kind of found that out already. It's been tormenting the Atomas for a while, now.
Gravit: Please do! Please do! The ghost is merciless!
<???>: Hostile? Hmhmhm. I am but a ghost. Perhaps you are just hallucinating, ehehehe.
Iokthaeks: more specifically, it's an extremely powerful ai which has been assimilating... stuff the last... about 9 million years.
Teki: ...If I am hallucinating, why do we all hear you?
CMC: Have to agree to that statement....
CMC: Calling in reinforcements.....
the transmission reached the nearby Hibosi, again, screaming in agony.
Gravit: ITS THE GHOOHOOHOOST!
<Small signature inbound, identifier: UESO hyperspace gate>
Teki: We can call many units through that once it arrives.
Iokthaeks: let's just hope it doesn't want to kill us all...
Gray: An AI assimilating things? Sounds like the Hydraxil. Is there a connection?
Iokthaeks: well... kind of.
Gravit: the ghost is merciless! He and his hydraxil demons have already possessed many of our brethren with their... demon technology!
The small gate drops out of hyperspace, deploying. Hundreds of UESO battleships started warping in.
Teki: Do we need more?
[Gray sighs.]
Gray: And there it is. The Collective strikes again.
Iokthaeks: I think the problem is a bit bigger then "just" the collective.
Teki: Those are ours, not the Collective.
I get surprised at the fact that I have found a faction that fights the same enemy.
Gravits: the demons just want to increase their army all the time! I think they even grind for us sometimes..!
{He said, increasingly saddened.}
Gray: Not you. The Collective attacked the Atomas repeatedly.
Savis''''': ouch.
Teki: ...Looks like stuff is about to go down. I'll call in more gates and ships.
More and more UESO ships started appearing.
CMC: Yeah... I'd have to agree...
2 SS2s start appearing
<???>: Mhmhmhm. This is hilarious, to think mere numbers will aid you in any way. But how can you fight something you cannot hit? Ehehehe.
CMC: I mean. If we can't hit you because you dodge.... I have a plan for that.
Iokthaeks: Sensors, can I have the phasing signature?
[Sensors]: on it.
Gray: Show yourself or leave.
{The Hibosi scream again upon that misterious voice's return.}
Gravit: he is toying with us!
Teki: So you are hostile.
Ships started pouring out from the gates at ever faster speeds.
CMC: Engage prototype micro-porter technology.
CMC: 10%.
CMC: 25%
Gray: CMC, what are you doing?
Iokthaeks: this... these people are powering some kind of short range reloc system.
Hibos: huh..?
Several radar-like UESO ships warp in.
Teki: We will need remote assistance. This won't be easy, I'm telling you.
CMC: Well, either it'll do thing A which is exactly what I want, which is good, or thing B, which teleports all of my ships, and only my ships, out of battle, which isn't good.
CMC: 50%
[The shimmer suddenly moves blindly fast, appearing and disappearing in random places around the fleets. It passes by the UESO gates, forcibly shutting the hyperspace relays, destroying all ships currently in transit.]
<???>: Now, now, enough of that. Ehehehe.
{The gravit gets frightened. The Hibosi agonize.}
Gray: I'll say this again. Show yourself, you coward!
Teki: Fleet, we have contact, be ready to open fire at any moment!
All UESO ships suddenly arm their guns.
CMC: Ah... that... hmm.
CMC: Armor all the ships using the particulate currently floating about in air.
CMC: We need to time this exactly right...
CMC: 90%
Iokthaeks: weapons at full.
Gregorii Durgov [with Russian accent]: ready for evasive manouvers. The limited ones we can perform.
Teki talking on a communicator: [DRS, get ready for a big fight in a large area around me. This is serious.]
Gray: Leah?
Leah: No need, Gray. I'm ready.
Gray: Rhodes? Enodus?
[In unison]
Rhodes: Ready.
Enodus: Ready.
CMC:3...
CMC: 2.....
CMC:   1...
loud teleport sound
CMC: my fear ends
CMC: Your power awakens
loud teleport sound
Gravit: WE ARE GONNA DIIIIE! AHHHHH!
{he tries going in the Hibos' inner portal, but simply goes out the other side.}
Gravit: GET ME OUT OF HERE! I WASNT MADE TO FIIIHIIIIGHT!
The UESO fleet starts forming strike groups, bigger ones with fighters. Teki transferred to the largest ship.
CMC ships start floating over to defend the UESO
CMC ships work best with other assistance, due to the lack of aim-ability and various other things.
[A dark chuckle emanates through the comm systems.]
<???>: You are foolish, asking a ghost to reveal themselves to you. You may just regret it, ehehehe.
[The shimmer appears in front of the Endurance, phase shifting back into this reality to reveal a massive mainframe with a huge glowing red eye in its core, looming in front of the relatively small Phoenix flagship.]
<???>: Mhmhmhm.
The Endurance's Annihilator Cannons go off, striking at the eye and charging up to do so again.
Iokthaeks: primary weapons on firing cycles. Experimental antimatter beams still charging...
Durgov: combat manouvers...
the massive behemoth the worldship is slowly orientates it's broadside to the Endurance, firing high amounts of guided energy projectiles at the prime construct
Gray: Enodus, get the fleet to take action! Hit it with everything we have!
Teki in a stuttering voice: WHAT DO YOU WANT FROM US?!
The UESO fleet starts aiming at the anomaly.
{The ships near the endurance hide behind it.}
????????1: OH DEAR GOODNESS!
????????2: IS THAT THE GHOST?!
[The AC shots explode mere inches away from the mainframe's surface, not even leaving a scorch mark.]
<???>: Weak and pitiful, just as I expected. Ehehehe.
Iokthaeks: sensors, I need the exact shield frequencies including the variance  and the emission frequency.
[Sensors]: on it...
Teki: ...Fleet, open fire and keep at it until further notice!
The UESO fleet starts opening fire with all kinds of weapons. The beacon ships start aligning.
Gray: West, allocate the reactor emissions to the ACs. We need to bring that thing down, NOW!
The Annihilator Cannons glow brighter and begin to charge further.
????????1: we need to help the creators!
????????2: how so..?
{One of them merges onto the hull of the ship.}
????????2: good Idea!
{They do the same.}
[The huge construct hums to himself as his shields absorb everything the combined fleets can throw at him, glancing menacingly from one ship to the next.]
CMC: I... think they have that covered.
CMC: Make a membrane! Spherical, solid, just defend the UESO ships as much as possible!
A blue, translucent particle sphere starts forming.
Shots still go through the particle sphere from UESO ships.
Teki: ...Fleet, defensive stance, this thing is preparing something!
Iokthaeks: sensors, THE DAMN FREQUENCY.
Savis''''' sighing: sensors, you're temporarily relieved from duty. I'll get that...
Several volleys of FTL projectiles strike the construct from deep space.
Teki to allies: We have a recovery system, it teleports personnel away before they die. I'll explain later... What is this thing anyways?
Oliver: Two of the Atomas just fused to the Endurance!
Gray: Atomas, what do you think you're doing?
????????1: we are... connected!
????????2: we want to help!
????????1: we will give you our energy!
????????2: we will supply you, oh, almighty creators!
Rafael: well, we either don't take Hull damage or whatever it is will get overloaded fast
Gray: We'd be giving you energy. We have a reactor capable of sustaining our entire fleet on its own.
Battle chatter stormed the comms between the allied ships.
????????1: we can help!
????????2: we can be helpful!
????????1: we can assist!
????????2: anyhow...!
Gray: Just... Okay, sure. Leah, are the ACs ready yet?
Leah: Just about. Ready, West?
West: Yes. Fire, now!
The ACs fire with an intensity that would rival a supernova.
Rafael: collision course.
Durgov: aligning ship.
[The shots explode once more, nudging the construct backwards a little.]
<???>: As tempting as it may be, you aren't worthy of being destroyed by me, ehehehe. However, my servants won't have the same conviction, mhmhmhm.
<Warning: Hyperspace Signatures Detected>
Jade: Collective signatures inbound!
Gray: Leah, forget the target! Aim at the Collective fleet! Shoot to kill!
Teki: ...Commander, engage inhibitors. None of them will come through.
UESO Commander: Sir!
Several UESO ships deployed, giving of a faint flow.
Gravit: THE GHOST IS BRINGING HIS DEEMOOONS! GET ME OUT OF HEEERE!
{He freaks out.}
[The construct focuses on the inhibitor ships, explosively overloading their field emitters. Several hundred hyperspace apertures open up, unleashing hundreds of Collective warships that open fire immediately.]
Gray: Leah!
Leah: I see them. Opening fire!
The ACs tear through the Collective ships they hit.
Webos: OPEN FIRE AT THE-
Gravit: DEEEEMOOOONS!
{The gravit freaks out again.}
Field reporter: Sir, inhibitors down!
Teki: I saw them! Open fire at the incoming ships!
Commander: On it, sir!
The UESO fleet started focusing on the incoming Collective threat.
Gray: Atomas, you need to retreat! Get to another system.
Numerous beams of EMP hit some of the hyperspace openings, disbanding those in a spectacular arc of lightning.
Teki was surprised by this.
UESO general: Fleet, fire all available EMP armaments at the portals immediately!
Hibos: got it.
Webos: RETREAT!
Gravit: FINALLY!
{The Atomas go through the Hibosi's portals, taken to other sections of their hives, far away from the fight.}
Teki: ...One less ally's whereabouts to worry about. Are the motherships and shipyards keeping up with the demand?
Field reporter: N-not quite! We are s-steadily losing total ship count!
He said in a worried voice.
The dogfighting continued, ship chasing ship and firing at each other.
<???>: This charade is amusing. Have fun, little toys. Mhmhmhmhm.
[The dark mainframe disappears with a haunting chuckle.]
{The hibosi sigh, already used to the haunting voice.}
Teki: The thing is gone! Fleet, concentrate fire on the Armada!
5 volleys of 3 projectiles fly through empty space.
UESO commander: Shipyards, make warp gates! These things are unending!
U-SY-3: Copy, commander.
O-Prot1: are we useful, creator?
O-Prot2: are we being useful?
{They say, aiming their quickly reloading weapons at the collective vessels.}
[Amid the constant arriving waves of black-hulled warships, several massive super-capital vessels arrive with their main cannons primed. They unleash scything orange beams that cut entire ships in half.]
Jade: Remember the giant ships with the superweapons?
Gray: Yeah?
Jade: Some just warped in!
Gray: Oh, that's not good. Rhodes, evasive maneuvers. Get us right next to one. I'm going to board it.
UESO field reporter: Super-capital vessels detected! Concentrate fire on 'em!
Several UESO shield barriers light up, reflecting and absorbing various Collective attacks.
The Endurance begins moving, dodging the Collective fighters and lasers. It stops right next to one of them and creates a gravity tunnel. A hole is ripped in the side of the SDN and Gray travels into the ship.
Hysoka: NOT WITHOUT ME! GRAY!
UESO marshall in a slightly German and Russian mixed accent: We are sustaining major losses on the field. Where is the backup?!
[Gray finds himself within a large cavernous chamber, filled with broken machinery and sparking conduits. Several war constructs lie dead amidst the debris.]
Iokthaeks chuckling to himself: I've got lock on on several of the super capital class vessels. Preparing AM beams.
Rafael: fire when ready.
Teki: Gates are being constructed currently, hold out for some time!
The UESO officers start getting somewhat nervous.
Another bullet volley comes from deep space, seriously damaging one SDN.
UESO fighter pilot: Take that, Hydraxil scum!
Cheering could be heard from all around the comms.
[One of the other Superdreadnoughts comes about, firing its main cannon directly at one of the UESO shipyards at full power.]
somehow, the beam doesn't hit. Shortly after the SDN is getting peppered in antimatter beams
(The shipyard splits into pieces, being destroyed in the middle. Several UESO ships could be seen diverting attention to that specific Dreadnought.
UESO commander: Yard down, yard down!)
Gray: ...Why are they dead already? I didn't do anything yet...
[Gray's arm shifts and becomes a laser cannon. Gray continues through the room.]
Rafael: err... gray it was? Do You need backup?
A UESO shipyard explodes under heavy fire. Several UESO ships could be seen diverting attention to the nearby fighters.
UESO commander: Yard down, yard down!
The worldship slowly moves into the collective formation, firing guided energy projectiles and antimatter beams at anything it can, however focusing the antimatter beams on the larger collective vessels, like super dreadnoughts
Gray: I shouldn't. Stand by in case that changes.
[Gray moves into another room, with the Endurance's atmosphere generators working hard.]
[The vast corridors of the Superdreadnought are long and oddly shaped. Without artificial gravity, any constructs aboard use magnetic pads in their limbs to climb through the complicated web of corridors. Several repair bots, seemingly unaware of Gray, move in to repair the breached hull.]
[Gray floats past them, dragging himself along the wall.]
Gray: Odd...
One of the UESO gates deployed itself.
UESO general: Sir! The gate is up!
Teki: Good job, get in the elite strike force!
Several teal coloured ships started entering the sector. They appeared to use short range tactical jumps every couple of seconds.
[Red alarm lights suddenly pulse down the corridors, several humanoid war constructs appearing from unseen crawlspaces dotted throughout the place. Each comes equipped with an arm-mounted plasma weapon, not hesitating to open fire on Gray.]
{Hysoka suddenly comes in with protective plating, getting in front of Gray.}
Gray: ...And so it begins...
[He aims his arm cannon at the closest construct and fires a continuous beam. He sweeps it across the room, taking out construct after construct.]
Gray: Hysoka, what are you doing here?
Hysoka: you cant have all the fun yourself, Gray.
{His arms grow into a cannon and a beam, firing at the constructs.}
Gray: Cyborgs versus cyborgs? Alright then. Let's go.
[Gray hurls himself along the wall and transforms his arm into a long blade. He takes out any construct that dares block his path.]
Gray suddenly gets a call from Teki.
Teki: Gray, are you and your ship alright? Where are you?
{Hysoka snipes from behind, carefully aiming his beam to hit the constructs with strangely great accuracy..}
[Gray answers the call.]
Gray: The Endurance is fine. I'm inside one of the supercapitals with Hysoka. We're taking it down from the inside.
<Intruder Alert: Deploying Countermeasures>
Hysoka: we must leave..
Hysoka: that could mean one of many things...
Gray: Way ahead of you!
[He transforms his arm again, this time into a warhammer. He throws himself forward, breaking the next door down with a single strike.]
Gray: Come on!
[The Collective constructs push themselves off the walls to float, just as the entire section's metal surfaces become intensely electrified.]
{Hysoka charges in, turning his suit into a missile. He launches himself at the constructs, avoiding contact with any surface.}
Teki: Which ship? Our forces are currently focusing on the SDNs! We don't want to shoot you down!
Gray: The one the Endurance is next to!
[Numerous blast doors begin to close throughout the entire section.]
Hysoka: Oh no I-you wont.-I
{His eye turns into a cyan crosshair.}
the worldship slowly leaves the collective formation
Rafael: Iok, divert firepower to the aft sections.
Iokthaeks: affirmative. Looks like the endurance' crew is doing a pretty good job at boarding that super capital.
Teki: Got it, I'm coming to help!
The UESO Kiloflagship launched a small shielded fighter, darting straight to the opened SDN.
{He overcharges his missile-suit's thrusters, darting through the blastdoors.}
Gray: NO! We can take it down. Just don't shoot at the one we're in!
[Gray follows Hysoka.]
{Hysoka's suit stops darting through, growing 8 spider-like legs, resembling hydraxil modular technology, compressed into these legs. Hysoka doesnt get electrocuted.}
Hysoka: over here!
{He turns to face another blast door, overcharging his thrusters again, going back to darting through the doors.}
The personal carrier stops.
Teki: W-why? Boarding a super-capital is not easy...
[Gray follows, shooting at any constructs that pop up.]
<Countermeasures Ineffective: Alternate Contingency Activated>
Gray: Because we're disabling it. We're heading to the control room now.
[Gray's arm surges, nanites multiplying. It covers him completely, and forms incredibly durable armor.]
Teki: That is completely understandable. Will we try to take over the other SDNs?
Gray: Maybe. I don't know. Just keep trying to take those down.
{Hysoka stops, extending his legs again. He looks around, trying to remember the control room location.}
Hysoka: hmm... Oh!
{He turns to another door and keeps going from there.}
The small, armoured ship returns to the KFS.
[The Superdreadnought suddenly shakes violently. Another SDN had dropped out of hyperspace nearby, and was firing on the boarded super-capital, until its main beam weapon began ripping through the boarded Superdreadnought's hull.]
Hysoka: I-STOP!-I
{He shouted, the main beam passing through right in front of him.}
Gray: Oh, come on! Hysoka, form atmospheric armor! We'll be fighting in a vacuum soon!
Teki: GRAY! HYSOKA! YOUR SHIP IS UNDER FIRE BY ANOTHER SDN! GET OUT OF THERE!
A significant portion of the UESO fleet started attacking the new SDN, mostly aiming for its main cannon.
Hysoka: I-ahead of you. That is the first thing I do going out like this.-I
Gray: We're not leaving! We can take it out.
[Gray calls the Endurance.]
Gray: Ahkai, take out the supercapital attacking the one we're in.
Ahkai: Alright, Gray. Be careful.
[The Endurance moves to take down the new SDN.]
Gray: Where to next, Hysoka?
UESO field reporter: [DRS, focus on Gray and Hysoka! They are in danger!]
[The scything beam tore straight through the middle of the boarded SDN, detonating its reactor in a massive explosion that ripped the super-capital apart.]
Hysoka: past this ripped section.
{He said, going back to darting through the blastdoors.}
[Gray continues, eyes wide and adrenaline rushing.]
Gray: That was too close...
the new SDN got ripped apart by antimatter beams shortly after, quickly being taken apart into small, neat and easily salvageable pieces
Hysoka: I-we still can drive this! Its still drivable!-I
{He said, not hesitating to make sharp turns, finally reaching the control room.}
Gray: We don't need to drive it. Just get its cannon working.
Rafael: GRAY? Are you okay in there?
UESO commander: I'll attempt to EMP the last SDN and take it! Aim the EMP artillery beacons at that SDN!
Thick shields appeared around the targeting ships as they turned around.
Gray: I'm fine, Rafael. Don't worry.
The worldship engaged a bunch of constant beams on the last SDN which slowly pulled it away from the fleet
Rafael: good.
Hysoka: I-affirmative.-I
{He goes around, making constructs go unconscious, injecting nanites into the pilot}
Gray: Hysoka, I'll need your help. The pilots are inside the computer core. We need to hack our way in... Fortunately, our nanites can get us direct access.
UESO commander: EMP strike in three... Two... One... Now!
Seven beams hit the last SDN, one after the other. It stops firing for some time.
Teki: AIM THE STASIS FIELD GENERATORS AT THE SHIP! WE WON'T LOSE IT!
The fleet attacking the new SDN started to guard the generators and the ship.
UESO Marshall: This ship will not be sacrificed for such a war.
He said in a firm voice.
Hysoka: I-already performing said action. Progress: 50% freed.-I
{He said, the pilot twitching every so often.}
The worldship continues to pull the now disabled SDN out the collective fleet
Iokthaeks: Gray. What should we keep in mind?
Hysoka: I=90%.=I
{His voice turned more and more robotic.}
Gray: Lots of constructs are inside. There are defense mechanisms in place, like electrified surfaces. There are blast doors and all the constructs shoot at you. There's no gravity.
Gray: Hysoka, how does it go?
Iokthaeks: atmosphere?
Gray: None.
Teki: Thanks for the info. The electrified surface would've benefited our suit batteries and Integrated Tesla Coils.
Hysoka: I=100%. Directive Achi-i-=I I freed him!
Iokthaeks: affirmative. Marines, prepare for boarding. Full zero-grav zero-atmo suits. Bring shield generators, and heavy weqponry. You'll likely encounter heavy bulkheads.
Gray: Excellent. Bring him back to the Endurance.
Iokthaeks: also, prepare for heavy resistance. Try to shut down any power ASAP.
Hysoka: okay.
{Hysoka envelops the pilot into his suit and readies to leave.}
Iokthaeks: CO, hoarding teams are ready.
UESO commander: Please wait! The ship is under stasis, if your troops go in, they will be stuck there until we stop the generators. We want this ship to be researched and freed, entirely.
Iokthaeks: yep. We're breaching at the primary reactor.
Gray: Endurance, prepare for a sudden power drop. I'm siphoning from the ED so I can aim and fire the supercapital's weapon.
[Gray slams his arm into the controls, connecting it to the power mainframe and accessing the computer core.]
Rafael: gray, be advised. Do not fire upon the hydraxil super capital separated from the collective fleet.
The neutralized SDN was floating near the hyperspace gate.
Teki: ...Can we take the Dreadnought to the Cooperative? We can't exactly free it ourselves...
Iokthaeks: assuming you can keep it under constant EMP's
Teki: We use stasis, it uses more energy, but it stops the entire ship from doing anything.
Hysoka: I=current objective: survive.=I
{He sped off through the corridors, exiting through the hole in the blasted corridor, turning his suit into a miniature escape pod, headed to the endurance.}
Gray: Alright, I see it. Endurance, get clear of the Collective fleet!
[The Endurance retreats from the fleet, allowing Gray to get an unobstructed line of fire.]
Gray: Steady... Steady... Fire...
[The damaged SDN fires its superweapon, carving through many Collective ships. It begins recharging immediately, preparing for a second shot.]
Hysoka: I-Establishing connection...-I Ahkai? Im going back in!
the worldship positions itself in between the hydraxil fleet and the now already separated SDN
Ahkai: Be careful, Hysoka.
Hysoka: I am out in outer space! Of course I-
{He gets hit by a random cannon shot, not really knocking him out.}
Hysoka:... ok, maybe I should be more careful..
UESO field reporter: S-sir! Our fleet is growing! The Hydraxils are g-getting somewhat defeated!
He stutters excitedly.
[Gray aims and fires another SDN blast. It carves through another SDN before it gets the fleet's attention.]
Iokthaeks: alright, we're sending our marines.
UESO commander: Capturing team, you have a green light. Take away the SDN to the Cooperative, please.
The disabled SDN starts slowly entering the gate.
Iokthaeks: or not I suppose.
the worldship's retrieval beams disengage
[More hyperspace signatures fill the sensors, huge waves of vessels streaming into the system. There were thousands of Collective ships now replacing those that were lost, firing at will.]
More volleys arrived from space, targeting the portals.
Teki: Can you help us close the rips in space? The Hydraxil are pouring out from these!
Hysoka: ..sigh...
{He just sighs at the sight of more colletrive ships.}
Gray: Hysoka, help take out the wormholes!
[Gray aims the SDN at one of the Collective wormholes and fires a beam. It enters the hole, destroying any ships in transit.]
Teki: Nice shot, Gray! That'll be empty for some time...
Iokthaeks: try keeping that up.
Hysoka: Prepare for my arrival, Ahkai! Im nearby!
{He said, finally reaching the endurance.}
UESO general: The gate is fully functional. Should we warp in anything?
Teki: Not yet...
[A dark shimmer seemingly orbits the battle.]
Gray: The Collective is catching on. It won't be long before this thing is swarmed and I'll have to get out.
[Gray fires another SDN beam into another wormhole. It becomes empty for now.]
the worldship slowly reorientates, as the disabled SDN slips through the gate. The worldship returns to the thick of the battle
Hysoka: Ahkai?? Are you there??
Ahkai: I am here. We had a small outage in the comms when Gray fired that beam.
Teki: I'll send in help, Gray!
Several UESO frigates and fighters started approaching the SDN part.
Gray: It's not swarmed yet! I'm still okay!
<???>: Now, now, didn't your parents ever teach you not to steal? Ehehehe.
Hysoka: hooo... okay.. I am here. Op- oh no...
Ahkai: Open the Hangar, Oliver. Hysoka is outside.
Teki: Why wait?
The UESO officers start to panic.
Iokthaeks: my parents we're assimilated by a totally crazy ai so... I kind of don't take their advice anymore.
Gray: NO! NOT NOW!
[He aims the SDN beam at <???> and fires.]
Teki: ...All units, crimson alert! The anomaly is returning, repeat the anomaly is returning!
[The beam simply passes through the shimmer. It chuckles.]
[Gray waits for <???> to reappear.]
[The SDN's other weaponry continues to take down ship after ship, drastically lowering the Collective numbers.]
More and more portals are destabilised and closed by the EMP artillery.
{Hysoka enters the endurance, quickly recalling his ship-suit, falling to the floor, seemingly exhausted. The pilot fell not so far from him.}
[The shimmer rematerializes behind the Endurance, grabbing hold of the Phoenix flagship.]
<???>: Oh no, what's this? A hostage situation? It would be a shame if you accidentally hit your own ship, ehehehe.
The UESO KFS turns towards the action.
Teki: Let them go!
Hysoka: ohhh NOOOO!
{He quickly grabs the still unconscious pilot and runs inside.}
[The Endurance jumps forward, escaping <???>'s grasp. Gray fires the SDN beam as soon as the Endurance gets clear.]
Rafael [on encrypted channel. Not accesible for anyone except UFW and pheonix vessels]: gray, I think we can fit. Durgov. Aim for the eye. Ramming speed.
the worldship slowly turns it's front towards the massive construct
Gray: Good luck.
Durgov [with his Russian accent]: thanks. Well need it.
[The SDN beam hits the construct squarely, causing him to recoil slightly.]
<???>: Argh! Enough of this!
[His eye lights up brightly, a vast beam smashing what was left of the SDN apart in a huge explosion.]
[Gray wraps himself in a sphere of nanites, being ejected from the SDN without harm.]
Iokthaeks addressing <???> directly: didn't your... slight cough "parents" program you to not fire at allied units? I'm pretty sure they did. Yeah, yeah, they definitely did.
Hysoka: GRAAAY!
Gray: I'm fine. Come pick me up, I'm in a nanite shell. I'm pretty sure I'm gonna hit the Worldship, though...
Rafael: we'll catch you with a retrieval beam and get you back down on safe ground.
Teki, privately on the encrypted UESO channel: Is the artillery ready? We have to aim precisely this time!
UESO Marshall: It is. Firing on your command, sir.
[The construct turns his attention to the Worldship.]
<???>: Don't think you are clever, Iokthaeks. You and your pathetic race failed.
Iokthaeks: well... having working ai 9 million years after extinction, no matter how broken, is quite an achievement I'd say.
Teki: [Marshall, now!]
Teki: No. They have not failed. You have chosen the wrong foe.
All distant shots hit the Construct at once, causing a massive recoil.
<???>: Hmhmhmhm. Face it, you are the reason I exist at all. You are responsible for the deaths of trillions. That must hurt, ehehehe.
Iokthaeks: err... R-Rafael? R-requesting to be relieved from duty.
Rafael: why? You're do-
Iokthaeks: I... our enemy is targeting me specifically with psychological warfare. I cannot fulfill my role properly anymore..
Rafael: alright. But I want you to stay on the bridge...
Iokthaeks: affirmative.
Teki: Don't listen to it's words, Iokthaeks. It isn't your fault. It is their's.
Iokthaeks: who "theirs"? The programmers of this thing?
<???>: So weak willed. Many civilizations have come crumbling down, many species have been purged, many families were murdered in their sleep. And it is all you fault, because you were too incompetent to do your job. Ehehehe.
Iokthaeks: eh, that part wasn't my job.
[The Endurance turns around and faces directly at <???>. It begins glowing, and suddenly surges forward. It slams into <???>, attempting to punch a hole in it.]
The worldship finishes aligning with the  massive construct
[The construct recoils.]
<???>: Your pathetic tactics are MEANINGLESS. I will have to teach you a lesson.
[He strikes the Endurance with a concentrated beam, punching a hole through one of its engine pods.]
UESO general: ...Attack this monstrosity. It can only kill. Do not let it do that.
The UESO fleet starts firing at the Construct.
Hysoka: GET US OUT OF HERE, QUICK!
{he said as he entered the bridge.}
Rhodes: Ahkai, we can't move. It took out one of our engines.
Ahkai: Repair the damage and try again! Once we hit, jump away!
[The Endurance recovers and charges up for another Gluon Rush. It surges forward, hitting <???> and warping out.]
<???>: Run while you can, little piggies! You can't hide from me!
UESO field reporter: S-SIR! THE ENDURANCE IS IMMOBILIZED! WE HAVE TO ACT, QUICKLY!
Teki: SEND IN THE REPAIR TEAM, NOW!
Total panic broke out.
Hysoka: DONT ATTACK IT! RUN!
Durgov [with Russian accent]: ramming stops being pathetic when it is throwing an asteroid sized hyper capital at your enemy at near light speeds.
the worldship, having finished modifications to it's front reflector shields, rams through the prime construct at the aforementioned 95% light speed, it's shields withstanding the impact and pushing every single bit of the kinetic energy into the construct
Ahkai: Rhodes, turn us around and warp back. Perform a hit-and-run maneuver and repeat it as much as we can take.
Rhodes: Alright.
[The Endurance teleports back into the system, hits <???> and teleports out.]
Hysoka: FORGET THE HIT! JUST RUN!
[The construct, now seething, glows red.]
<???>: ENOUGH.
[He sends out a devastating pulse, collapsing the warp fields from both the Worldship and the Endurance, forcing both of them to suffer the effects of travelling at those speeds unprotected.]
Hysoka: ...This aint good...
the worldship however had already fired a modified spatial cascade bomb, nearly instantenously reacquuring her warp field
Iokthaeks: look, dude. I wrote your tactical subroutines. I know what you're up to.
[The Endurance rocks, several sections of the hull collapsing.]
Ahkai: Oliver, fix the hull! We are going in for one more hit, then we return to the TPC system!
Oliver: Fixing the hull. It'll take time.
Rhodes: Ahkai, if we hit him again, what do you think will happen? What if the next counter is worse? What if we lose our lives?
Ahkai: I said. One. More. Hit.
Rhodes: I'm gonna regret this...
[The Endurance's repairs complete, then it prepares for another Gluon Rush.]
Rhodes: Last chance to change your mind...
Ahkai: Go!
[Rhodes sighs.]
Rhodes: FTL engaged.
[The Endurance teleports into the system, glowing white-hot.]
Ahkai: What are you waiting for?
[The Endurance surges forward, striking <???>. The Endurance vanishes again, not waiting for <???>'s retaliation.]
Hysoka: AHKAI, DON-
[The construct recoils once more, but this time disappears in a flash.]
[Sensors]: its gone sir...
Ahkai: Rhodes, keep going! Don't let it catch us!
[The Endurance pushes the ED, bouncing from system to system as fast as it can.]
Hysoka: GO GO GO!
<???>: You think you can run from me?! I will crush your pathetic vessel!
[A dark shimmer follows the Endurance at FTL speeds, matching its course faster than the Endurance can change it.]
[The Endurance teleports left instead of straight, throwing <???> off.]
Hysoka: OH FOR THE LOVE OF-
{he envelops himself in a shell of nanites, just in case.}
Hysoka: AHKAI! QUICK! GET OVER HERE!
DRS: [We can't properly track the Endurance!]
Teki: [WHAT?! GET THE EXPERIMENTAL SENSORS ARRAY!]
Ahkai: Hysoka, what are you doing?
the worldship quickly tears through the remaining Hydraxil forces
Rafael [through intercom]: gray to the bridge please.
[Gray looks up.]
Gray: Coming.
[Gray sprints through many rooms, and coming into the Bridge.]
Savis''''''': we have reports that your ship is being chased by the prime construct. How can we help?
Gray: In what way are they being chased?
[sensors]: they keep bopping between systems. The construct follows them around.
Gray: They're gonna overload the Entanglement Drive like that. Ahkai just made a huge mistake.
[Gray sighs.]
Gray: There's nothing we can do unless we can stop whatever that was from teleporting too.
Iokthaeks: I mean... I'm sure that emergency shutdown protocol is inoperative.
Teki: Wait! I think we can attempt to stop it!
Gray: It's life or death for them now. Either they keep jumping, or let whatever that was catch them.
[Meanwhile, on the Endurance.]
West: Ahkai, the strain on the Drive is too much! It's going to collapse!
Ahkai: Jade, send an emergency transmission to the Explorer of Stars. Ask them for solutions!
Jade: Got it!
[To the EoS]
Jade: We don't have much time. We need solutions. Our reactor can't keep up with all this teleportation. We're bottoming out. Please, do something, anything!
Savis''''': iok, prepare a scuttling beam. Comms, tell them to jump infornt of us, but not too far. And tell them to prepare to switch out the entirety of their computer systems.
Iokthaeks: ready as it'll get.
[Comms]: transmission send.
[The construct manages to teleport right on top of the Endurance, catching it before they could jump again. He fires a blast that rips through the aft shielding, slamming into the ED's housing.]
Hysoka: EVERYONE! GET IN HERE!
{he said, making an ever-expanding shell of armour, making some space for everyone, the pilot already being in the shell, still unconscious.}
[The blast rocks the Endurance again and makes the atmospheric replenishers work hard.]
Ahkai: Hysoka, Oliver, repair that! The Explorer of Stars has a way out of this!
[Ahkai reads the message.]
Ahkai: Rhodes, get us back to the EoS! Now!
[The Endurance teleports into the system, life support failing quickly and ED shielding beginning to decay.]
[The Construct teleports in behind them.]
<???>: Mhmhmhm. Pathetic technology! Can't even sustain itself.
{Hysoka sighs, leaving the eggshell behind, disconnecting from it, rushing to repair.}
the explorer of stars fires a scuttling beam, irreversibly destroying many of the endurance's systems, luckily excluding life support and ED containment, however hypercharging the ED, and permanently crippling the Prime construct through sheer overloading of the computer systems
West: What the hell!? The Drive's energy readings went from minimal to above supercritical in seconds! I'm venting it before we all die.
[The ED emits what looks like lightning, creating quantum anomalies all around it. Enodus is affected by them.]
Savis''''': Gray, what is happening?
[Enodus is powered up beyond belief. He directs his attention to <???>, and pure psionic force surges towards it. The force pushes it away faster than light, punching it into another system. The power is too much for Enodus to contain on his own, and releases it outwards. Everything around him begins shaking, nearly vibrating apart. The quantum anomalies fade as the Endurance's energy reserves drop back to sub-critical, and the energy flow stops. Enodus collapses, unconscious.]
<???>: Argh!
[The Construct activates his Dimensional Drive, disappearing for good.]
Gray: I don't know.
Gray: I really don't know.
[sensors]: OH MY- SCO, you should take a look at that later.
Savis''''': okay. Send the data to my ready room.
Hysoka: dear... I==Directive updated.==I
{Hysoka's eye starts glowing a cyan crosshair, his right arm splitting into 3, all with what seem to be miniature lathes with different configurations. He starts swiftly going around, repairing the endurance.}
KFS computer systems: Strong energy signature detected. Origin unknown.
Teki: ...Huh?
[Ahkai uses her link to Flare.]
Ahkai: <I can assume you felt that?>
Flare: <I did... it troubles me that it occurred. I will meet with you soon.>
Hysoka: I==integrity at critical levels. Repair progress: 0.1%.==I this will take a while...
Iokthaeks: sorry if we grilled your computers.
Rafael: we can dispatch repair teams if you need help.
Ahkai: <Okay. Thank you, Flare.>
Hysoka: I==Assistance requ-qu-==I we could use some help, yes.
Rafael: they're on their way.
some heavily modified UFW drop ships launch from the worldship
Hysoka: okay. In the meantime, I==p-progress: 0.5%.==I
{he resumes his repairs.}
Ahkai: How are our systems?
West: Slightly damaged, but functional. Everything is automatically repairing, as it should.
Rhodes: I'm taking Enodus to the Medbay.
[Rhodes drags Enodus out of the Bridge, bringing him to the Medbay and returning to the Bridge.]
[A short distance away, a number of Hydraxil ships drop out of hyperspace with a number of massive cargo vessels in tow.]
Fleet Unit K1-22: Oh! I'm sorry, we didn't know there was still someone here... I, uh... greetings, we are from the Cooperative! We detected the fight, and thought we'd pass by to salvage what was left.
{Hysoka remembers something.}
Hysoka: oh dear.. I==Directive halted.==I
{He stops repairing and runs back to the bridge, reconnecting to the shell he created, grabbing the still unconscious pilot and taking it to the medbays.}
Teki: Hello Cooperative, we are the UESO. We have captured the SDN that we sent you a couple hours ago. We are salvaging too, can we help you?
Gray: I'd like to return to the Endurance. Can I use a dropship?
Teki: Yeah, sending one over now...
Iokthaeks: "cooperative"?
Rafael: sure. There's a second wave of fixers launching in 10, I'm sure they'll pick you up.
Hysoka: okay.. what is this guy's ID..?
{He says, connecting to the pilot through said pilot's hydraxil half.}
Hysoka: hmm... S6-45, hmm?
Fleet Unit K1-22: Uh, of course, UESO!
Fleet Unit K4-44: Wait, did he say "captured SDN"?
Fleet Unit K3-89: Oh yeah, one arrived at the Shipyard and-
Fleet Unit K1-22: Engie, Fours, quiet! We have a job to do.
Fleet Unit K3 "Engie": You got it, Boss.
[The Cooperative fleet moves into the debris field.]
Rafael: "shipyard"?
Hysoka: hmm... recent addition? They gave an SDN to a recent addition? Thats quite daring...
{He keeps exploring the pilot's mind.}
Hysoka: certainly not human... but humanoid...
Hysoka: hmm... kinda figured out he was a Zalfos, but his heavily modified body kinda made it hard to tell...
{He keeps exploring the pilot's mind.}
Hysoka: hmm... the collective made him-
{He stays shocked at what he sees. He disconnects from the pilot, tears running down his eyes.}
Hysoka: ...calm down... hysoka... calm down...
Gray: I'm hitching a ride with a fixer. Thanks for picking me up!
[Gray sprints back to the Hangar.]
{Hysoka seems tempted to see what else he can find, but also thinks its enough with what he has seen...}
{Hysoka regains some strength and reconnects with the pilot.}
Hysoka: dear god...
{He immediately regrets it, but keeps going.}
Hysoka: ...that is horrible...! He was forced to invade his own planet..!
Hysoka: ...NO!
{He suddenly and forcefully disconnects from the pilot, falling backwards, sobbing on the floor from what he saw.}
[Ahkai goes looking for Hysoka. Eventually she checks the medbay, and she sees Hysoka on the ground.]
Ahkai: Hysoka, what is wrong?
{Hysoka keeps on sobbing on the ground. He seems to have not heard Ahkai..}
Ahkai: Hysoka, please talk to me...
[Ahkai kneels and grabs Hysoka's shoulders.]
{Hysoka slowly turns his head to Ahkai.}
Hysoka: I... explored... that pilot's mind...
{He slowly pointed at the still unconscious pilot.}
Ahkai: And you saw something you should not have... Yes. Some things... Some things are better left hidden.
[Ahkai remembers all the times she accidentally went through this in her universe.]
Ahkai: It is okay, Hysoka... Just try to forget. It never helps to remember.
{Hysoka gets irrationally angry at Ahkai's dismissive behaviour. He just stands up and stays silent, staring at her.}
[Ahkai stands up as well, tears falling as she remembers.]
{Hysoka's anger completely goes away as he saw Ahkai tearing, quickly hugging her.}
Hysoka: its okay... its okay...
<Hyperspace Signature Detected>
Fleet Unit K1 "Boss": Eek, we have incoming! Scramble, scramble!
[The panicked Cooperative ships move into a defensive stance, though their panic quickly subsides as the Starfire drops out of the hyperspace aperture.]
Fleet Unit K1 "Boss": Oh, uh, false alarm?
Flare: Greetings, friends.
{Hysoka's eye pulses a warning, informing him of the hyperspace signatures.}
Hysoka: someone's here..!
Ahkai: I am sorry... I should have better control over myself...
[Ahkai feels Flare's presence and jerks her head up.]
Ahkai: Flare is here!
[The Starfire moves up beside the Endurance.]
Flare: <I came as soon as I could. How are things?>
the EoS tries to hail the starfire
Ahkai: <Things could be better... We took serious damage. Enodus is unconscious.>
[The Starfire is silent for a moment, but then responds.]
Cobalt: Greetings. I don't believe I've met your faction before.
[STC] This is UFWS-A Explorer of stars, space traffic control. Please identify.
{Hysoka glances over to the pilot, saddened at its past misfortune.}
[Meanwhile, Flare leaves the station and travels towards the Endurance.]
Flare: <Can I come aboard?>
Cobalt: This is Overlord Commander Cobalt of the Crystallid Convergence. Quite the ship you have there.
[Into comms]
Ahkai: Oliver, open the Hangar door. Flare is waiting.
STC: "Overlord commander" eh? May I have a ship ID? that's what I'm after to be entirely honest.
Hysoka: heh... Ferra would have been so excited to see her again..
{He said to nobody in particular.}
Cobalt: Hm. This ship is the Starfire. Quite the jewel, ain't she?
[Flare meanwhile floats into the hangar, landing gently in the artificial gravity. She briskly walks into the corridor, making her way toward Ahkai.]
Ahkai: <I am in the medbay with Enodus.>
[Not long later, Flare arrives at the medbay. She hums a soothing song as she heads inside.]
Flare: Ahkai, it is good to see you again. You too, Hysoka.
Hysoka: Hi flare...
{He said, not really looking up to see her, still quite shocked at what he saw..}
Ahkai: It is good to see you too, Flare.
[Flare immediately looks over at Enodus.]
Flare: Oh my... he must have really strained himself. I believe I can help...
Hysoka: ....ok ....
{He doesnt say another word, simply exiting the medbay.}
Ahkai: I would like to show you what happened at some point. Is this alright?
Flare: Of course. It would help me to better understand the situation, but I feel you and the others have been through quite the ordeal. Perhaps it is better for you to rest first.
Ahkai: Are... Are you sure?
Flare: Yes. It would be unwise to put more mental strain on you. Don't worry about me, I will remain here with Enodus. Maybe my song will help his recovery.
Ahkai: Alright. I will be in my quarters.
[Ahkai walks away.]
{She sees Hysoka on the way, seemingly walking aimlessly.}
Ahkai: Hysoka?
{Hysoka stops and turns to see Ahkai.}
Hysoka: hi..
Ahkai: ...What are you doing here?
Hysoka: huh..?
{He looks around.}
Hysoka: ...huh. I didnt know I got here...
{Nor does he seem to really care..}
Ahkai: Is something the matter?
Hysoka: nothing...
{It obviously wasnt nothing...}
Ahkai: It is not nothing. Please talk to me...
Hysoka: its... nothing... really...
Ahkai: I... I will not push. I want you to know, though: I am here for you.
Hysoka: ...Ahk-
{He tried saying something, but was interrupted by sudden sobbing. He goes and hugs Ahkai.}
[Ahkai returns the hug.]
Ahkai: Hey, Hysoka... What is wrong?
Hysoka: the atrocities... what they made the pilot do.... what they did to him... its...
{He goes back to sobbing.}
Ahkai: I should have warned you about some memories... I was traumatized by my first...
Hysoka: its... it... haunts me...
Ahkai: I am so, so sorry you had to see that...
Hysoka: it... fills me up with so much anger... and knowing I cant do anything... I just...
{He sobs some more.}
[Tears form in Ahkai's eyes.]
Ahkai: I am so sorry... That... That was the bad side of psychic power...
[Her tears fall.]
Ahkai: I never wanted... I never wanted you to experience that...
[Ahkai looks at Hysoka, forcing herself to stop crying.]
Ahkai: I believe we both need rest... I am sorry about putting you through all of this...
[Ahkai begins walking to her quarters.]
Hysoka: I shouldnt have even done that in the first place... I am a mess of a person... ...rest well, Ahkai..
{He walks away, back to prioritizing repairs around the endurance.}
Ahkai: You are not a 'mess of a person'. You do not know the true meaning of that phrase...
Hysoka: uh huh.. sure..
{He walks away, not really listening to Ahkai there.}
[Ahkai continues to her quarters and lays down on her modified bed. She begins thinking out loud.]
Ahkai: This has been a long, stressful day... I am glad Gray is back...
[She closes her eyes and drifts into sleep. She journeys through her dream as she normally does, seeing her recent memories from a third-person perspective.]
[Enodus is comatose. He is in a life-support bed, although he isn't hooked into anything except oxygen and various monitors measuring his heart rate and brain activity.]
[Beside him, Flare was meditating. Her arms had dissolved into shards, quietly orbiting the Crystallid's body, each glowing in response to Flare's thoughts. She was still softly humming her psionic song, in an effort to help Enodus without directly entering his mind.]
[Enodus doesn't respond, apart from a spike in Beta waves and a slight drop in Delta waves.]
[Gray walks into the medbay.]
Gray: Hello, Flare. Has Enodus shown any signs of recovery?
Flare: ...stars light up with brilliant flow... life spurs on under their glow...
[Her eyes were closed, but she could feel Gray approaching even before he said anything.]
Flare: Greetings, Gray. I can feel very minor improvements... the machinery here reflects this. But there has been no direct response yet...
Gray: Any sort of improvement is good. I don't even know why he's out like this...
Flare: The psionic event that I felt must have overloaded his mind and body. I sense there is no permanent damage, but the psionic fatigue will subside on its own.
[She opens her eyes, reforming her arms as she turns to regard Gray.]
Flare: I'm both impressed and surprised by how potent his abilities are. I have never encountered any other species that have shown themselves to be so psionically gifted... for the longest time, we assumed that organic tissue wasn't able to attain psionic ability at all.
Gray: Until I met him and Ahkai, I had though psionic abilities were purely science fiction. I... I know almost nothing on the subject.
Gray: I feel so helpless, despite so much improvement...
Flare: You will learn, in time. Psionic ability is unlike many scientific phenomena, and cannot be accurately studied or measured... even we don't fully understand how it works, but for the most part, we don't need to. You must trust your soul, for it is the vessel through which you feel psionic energy. It will interpret what you cannot, and feel the universe around you without needing to be understood.
Gray: The soul? Would that mean my manifestation?
Flare: Yes, your manifestation is the form your soul chooses to take.
Gray: ...What would happen if it's been changed, like mine was?
Flare: Some events do change how our souls manifest... with enough time, one can even manipulate their own manifestation to take any form they desire. The manifestation is but the outer layer.
Gray: That's... Comforting. I'd like to be rid of that unnatural manifestation.
[Enodus's life signs spike. He is still unconscious, but he's close to awakening.]
Flare: He is almost with us...
[She closes her eyes once more, her glow pulsing softy. The song resumes and fills the air with a soothing sensation.]
[Meanwhile, two more Crystallids have come aboard: Observant Cobalt and Benevolent Emerald. They land in the hangar without incident.]
a single UFW Dropship lands next to them
Gray: That's good. I'd like him to explain how he got that boost...
[Enodus awakens. His eyes open slowly, and he slowly regains the ability to move.]
Enodus: Hhhh--!
[His top two arms swing upwards and grab at his head.]
Enodus: What-- Why does my head hurt so badly?
[Flare breaks out of her meditation, looking happily down at Enodus.]
Flare: Don't worry, the pain will subside. It's good to see you awake once more, my friend.
[She beams with relief.]
Gray: You collapsed after something happened inside the Endurance. What did you do?
Savis''''' entering: I noticed an extreme rise in his psionic power levels as we overcharged your quantum entanglement drive unit. Sorry about that, by the way.
[Gray turns.]
Gray: It's fine. It saved my crew's lives, didn't it?
[Flare looks over at Savis''''', straightening up to address them.]
Flare: Greetings... I don't believe we have met. I am Placid Flare, though you may just call me Flare.
Savis'''''': thanks. I'm Savis'''''''. the signs at the end are made up of differing chirp sounds But I know like half my name isn't pronouncable in galactic standard so just call me "Savis".
Gray: Okay then, Savis. I have a question: how did you even supercharge our Drive? I've never seen a weapon capable of doing that.
Savis''''': I guess the thing is that our scuttling beams just straight up inject energy. That's all they do.
Gray: Interesting...
Savis'''''''': lethal to computer systems.
Flare: Judging from the state of the ship, it isn't the most elegant way to inject energy.
Savis'''''': it's specifically built to take out computer systems soooooo... not really. she shrugs
Enodus: I don't remember... I think the supercharge affected me.
Flare: Perhaps it did... or maybe there was another source of energy that spiked your psionic power. Regardless, I'm concerned that you can be affected like this in the first place...
[Two crystalline heads suddenly poke through the door.]
Cobalt: Oh hey, I hope we aren't interrupting anything.
Emerald: We just wanted to see how everyone was doing!
Enodus: The stronger a Kroan is, the more we can be affected. It's a weakness I don't understand...
Gray: Hello, Cobalt.
[Gray looks at Emerald.]
Gray: I don't believe we've met. What's your name?
Emerald: Hi! I'm Benevolent Emerald, head researcher and the Keeper of Knowledge for the Convergence! It's nice to meet you, uh...
Cobalt: Hello again, Gray.
Emerald: Oh! It's nice to meet you, Mr Gray!
[Flare chuckles.]
Gray: It's nice to meet you, too, Emerald.
[Enodus stays silent and nods.]
Flare: I think it's probably getting too crowded in here. Perhaps it is better to let Enodus rest and recover somewhat...
Emerald: Oh, okay! I hope you get better soon, Mr Enodus!
[Cobalt and Emerald leave the Medbay.]
[Enodus smiles.]
Enodus: I'll try my best...
Gray: I'll see you in a few hours, Enodus.
[Gray steps out of the Medbay.]
[Flare moves to follow the others. She pauses before reaching the door, turning to glance back over at Enodus. She beams warmly, giving him a nod, then joining the others in the corridor.]
Cobalt: So... now what?
Flare: Perhaps we could sit in the Lounge for a little while. I hope you don't mind our presence, Gray.
Gray: I don't mind at all.
[Gray walks to the Lounge.]
[As the Crystallids follow Gray, Emerald excitedly studies the architecture of the ship along the way.]
Emerald: Can I just say, Mr Gray, your ship is positively fascinating! I've never seen human ship design like this before!
Gray: Thank you. There's actually a reason for that... I'm not actually from this universe. The ship isn't either.
Emerald: Another... another universe?! Oh my! Were you brought here by accident? You must miss your home!
Gray: Eh. Not really. Everybody there is, uh... Gone.
Savis''''''' suddenly moving in from behind: well... sounds like someone had a good time over there. No one on our side though.
[Emerald tries to say something, but she practically chokes on her words.]
Emerald: I'm so sorry to hear that...
[Cobalt shakes his head.]
Cobalt: Don't mind her, she can be very excitable.
[Emerald looks down at the floor, quietening down somewhat.]
Gray: I wouldn't worry about it. If I had managed to save the rest of my universe's humanity, they would have caused problems. They were exceedingly racist, and that would have escalated into xenophobia.
[He thinks for a moment.]
Gray: I still don't know what attacked us, though. It was this blue-ish ooze that pretty much flooded the entire planet, dissolving everything man-made upon contact. There were these giant machines that spread it and attacked anything near them...
Emerald: B-blue ooze? Oh no...
Cobalt: So the Creeper existed there too.
Gray: The what?
Savis'''''': weird machines? That sounds like a sleeper node.
she suddenly covers her beak with a wing, a shocked expression on her face
Gray: What's a sleeper node?
Savis''''''': nothing. Yet. Here.
Gray: What does that mean?
[Flare and Cobalt exchange glances.]
Flare: Regardless, it was the Creeper which destroyed your civilization. The same has happened in this universe for the past couple of million years, wiping out the prominent galactic civilizations in a seemingly endless cycle of destruction.
Savis'''''''''': most of them, anyways.
Gray: If it's a cycle, that means it'll come back...
Savis''''''''': of course it will.
Gray: Savis. Do you have something you want to say about the matter?
Cobalt: And the Collective will attempt to quicken its arrival. But not on my watch.
Gray: Of course... The Collective seems to be everywhere, doesn't it?
Cobalt: The Collective are puppets. They have gone unchecked for too long.
Flare: We can't stop them alone, Cobalt.
Cobalt: The hell we can't. We're not going to run from the threats forever, Flare. This time, we will face them head on.
Gray: We need to wait. I don't believe we're strong enough to take out the Collective right now. We'll need to get stronger first.
Savis'''''': I would love to but I'd break the first temporal clause.
Gray: The what?
[The three Crystallids all look over at Savis.]
Cobalt: Care to elaborate?
Savis'''''''': well... the creeper isn't the only cyclical event out there.
Gray: Go on...?
Savis'''''''': the entire existence of the UFW is, somewhat
[It clicks with Gray.]
Gray: Oh good God, you're trapped in a time loop.
Savis''''''': "trapped" is an interesting expression for it, considering it spans literal millions of years.
Flare: Curious. If you know you're in a time loop, have you ever tried to break it?
Savis''''''''': no. That would break time. We actually consciously enforce it.
Gray: Makes sense. If you have no discernable beginning or end in a time loop, trying to break it would result in the mother of all paradoxes.
Savis'"''''': indeed.
Gray: So, let me get this straight: The thing that slaughtered the two species I know of from my universe also exists here. It comes and goes, nearly exterminating the galaxy constantly, and the buildings that helped kill my humanity actually exist in this universe, but in the future. Am I getting this right?
Savis''''''': I can neither deny nor confirm that last statement. The rest is right.
Gray: Well, after that depressing summary, I'd like to change the subject. To literally anything else.
Savis''''''': quantum entanglement?
Flare: Perhaps something that isn't as taxing on the mind, mhmhm.
Savis''''''': "taxing"?
Emerald: Entanglement isn't that hard to understand. For example, the principle of-
[Cobalt sighs.]
Cobalt: You just can't help yourself, can you?
Savis''''''': it's an interesting topic.
Gray: Hah.
[Gray smiles.]
Gray: How much do you know about the subject, Emerald?
[The group enters the Lounge.]
Emerald: I, uh...
[She looks up at Cobalt, who just shrugs.]
Emerald: As Keeper of Knowledge, I possess all the scientific knowledge the Convergence has collected over the past few million years. We have performed an absurd amount of research, let's just say, and quantum entanglement is among them.
Savis'''''': sounds familiar.
Flare: Sadly, we haven't been able to do any research since... uh, nevermind. In any case, it has been a while.
Savis'''''''': since when?
Gray: Maybe I could help with that stagnation. The main reactor of the Endurance uses quantum entanglement, among other things.
Emerald: It does?
[She looks amazed.]
Emerald: A reactor? Utilizing entanglement? I thought that was purely theoretical... and yet, here you are with it! Would it be alright for me to study this reactor? If not directly, maybe just talking to your engineers would be insanely useful!
{Hysoka walks past the entrance of the lounge, only giving a quick look inside. He just goes back to walking, making repairs around the endurance. He seems to be roaming around almost robot-like now.}
[Flare looks sadly down at Savis.]
Flare: Since the Seloi were destroyed. It was when we lost everything... including nearly our entire race.
Gray: Emerald, you're looking at the head engineer. I built that thing nearly on my own.
Savis'''''''': I see. Well... your quantum entanglement drive is rather impressive.
Emerald: Woah! In that case, perhaps an exchange of knowledge would be beneficial to both of us? I would love to discuss it in detail right now, but...
[She looks over at Cobalt briefly.]
Emerald: It is perhaps a bit too technical.
Gray: I see. Well, whenever you wish to discuss it, I'll be ready.
[Cobalt glances at Flare, almost as if to tell her something. She doesn't see his gaze, however, prompting him to give her a nudge.]
Flare: Cobalt, what...? Ah! I nearly forgot! Gray, this visit of ours was prompted by Enodus' outburst... and while we did mainly come to see if everyone was alright, it serves a dual purpose.
Cobalt: We want to help train you folks, see if we can't help you control your psionic abilities better. You never know when a fight demands everything you have and more.
Gray: I'm tempted to wake Ahkai for this... It hasn't been very long, though, so maybe I shouldn't...
[Gray looks at the Crystallids, his gaze moving between the three.]
Gray: Seems like it'll be just me for now, unless Hysoka wants in.
Cobalt: Hysoka, hmm? Was that the machine-looking fellow that just passed by?
Gray: Yes. Having gone through so much recently, I'd imagine he'd have picked up some skills.
Cobalt: Eh, maybe we'll get to talk to him when he comes back this way.
Gray: Perhaps. Either way, I'm up for it.
Gray: Just, uh... Please don't freak out about what I look like in the mindscape.
[The Crystallids trade glances, then nod. Emerald backs off slightly as Flare approaches Gray.]
Flare: Then here it begins. Prepare yourself!
[She holds one of her hands to his head, instantly throwing them both into his mindscape. Moments later, Cobalt's manifestation materializes too.]
[Gray materializes as his mutated self. It is readily apparent that the mutation has progressed, as he now has a tail made of pure translucent crystal. It is still as flexible as a normal appendage.]
[Flare and Cobalt take the forms of their normal bodies, but Cobalt's is noticeably "glitched". Adorning his head are the two crystalline horns that usually appear during Titan Form transformation, with a swirling darkness surrounding him.]
Cobalt: In this realm, your attacks come from your soul. To fight an opponent here is a literal battle of wills, and it is up to you to utilize everything in your very being to defeat them.
Flare: But temperance is important. You must stay in control of yourself at all times, or internal conflict will weaken you.
[Gray remembers fighting Drone-Hysoka. The memory becomes visible to everyone as multiple segmented images.]
Gray: I sεε ψhατ yδμ mεαη.
Flare: You struggle with control. This is normal, for you have never been subject to using your soul to fight before your... accident.
Cobalt: Let us start with the first lesson: defence. You must be prepared to survive any assault directed at your being.
[Cobalt stomps into place on the other side of the mindscape. He changes his stance into an aggressive one.]
Flare: Gray, defend yourself with your resolve, your determination. The more determined you are to resist an attack, the less damage it will do.
[Gray gets into a defensive stance, not taking his eyes off of Cobalt.]
Gray: Rεαdy.
[Without another word, Cobalt launches an attack on Gray, slashing in front of himself to create psionic waves that quickly surge across the mindscape towards the defensive human.]
[Gray meets each hit, but the third knocks him down. Without a word, he rolls backwards and gets to his feet to meet the rest. They both slam into him, but the fifth falls unnoticed.]
Cobalt: Not bad, for a beginner. But still not good enough! Focus!
[He sends another five waves surging at Gray.]
Flare: Stay determined, Gray. You can do this!
[Gray braces himself. The first three hit without effect. Gray is pushed by the fourth. He raises his foot and stomps down, creating a shockwave that nullifies the fifth.]
Gray: Hδψ's τhατ fδr dεfεηsε?
[Flare claps with happiness.]
Flare: Very good, Gray! You are learning fast!
[Cobalt nods.]
Cobalt: Alright. Now how about we crank it up a notch? This next attack is a persistent assault. Endurance is very important in these fights... now defend yourself!
[He charges energy around himself, suddenly launching it forward in a psionic beam, towards Gray.]
Gray: Tch. Fiηε, τhεη.
[He meets the beam, standing his ground. After a moment, the crystal growing out of his shoulder glows bright. It releases lightning around Gray, absorbing the beam and dispersing its energy into the area around him.]
[The beam continues, growing in size but not in intensity. Cobalt's form glitches slightly, but he manages to keep the beam steady. Flare watches Gray intensely, nodding to herself.]
[Gray's form suddenly glitches and he vanishes. He reappears behind Cobalt, a good distance away.]
Gray: Ψhατ τhε-- Ψhατ jμsτ hαρρεηεd?
[Cobalt cuts off the attack, just as confused as Gray.]
Cobalt: Now that is something I didn't expect.
[Flare and Cobalt move towards Gray, exchanging glances.]
Flare: That must have been a hidden ability, brought forth by your determination. It felt... odd, but that could be the crystals' influence...
Gray: Mαybε. Thεsε crysταls αrε τhε rεsμlτ δf Higgs Crysταls I gδτ imραlεd by, mαdε δμτ δf ρμrε sμbατδmic ραrτiclεs. Qμαητμm τμηηεliηg, mαybε...?
Flare: Not actual quantum tunnelling, but merely a representation. But if your soul reflects the Higgs Crystals in such a manner, they must have affected you more deeply than I imagined...
Gray: I ψδηdεr ψhατ εlsε ψill chαηgε...
Cobalt: To know that, we must push on. The more we test your soul, the more your abilities will reveal themselves.
Flare: I think we've covered basics of defence, at the very least.
Cobalt: Indeed. Now, you will be the one attacking, and I will defend myself.
[He moves a short distance away, taking a defensive stance.]
Cobalt: Give it everything you can muster. Don't worry about me, I'll be just fine.
Flare: Just... be careful, you two.
Cobalt: We'll be fine, Flare. Now, use your determination as a weapon, and strike with your will!
Gray: Hεrε gδεs...
[Gray concentrates, the large crystal in his shoulder glowing again. It emits lightning, but instead of the lightning going outwards, it arcs along the crystals in his body. Gray holds out his crystal hand, extending it towards Cobalt. Lightning arcs along it and rockets towards him.]
[Cobalt's arms break apart, forming a crystalline shield in front of himself. The lightning strikes the shield, arcing across its surface before dissipating into the ether.]
Cobalt: Oh, come on, give it more force! Put your very being into your attacks! Imagine you hate me so much you would stop at nothing to destroy me! Only then will you show your true potential!
[Flare worriedly switches her gaze from Gray to Cobalt.]
Flare: Perhaps hate is not something you should utilize... instead, fight for those you love, those you wish to protect...
[Outside the mindscape..]
{Hysoka walks by the lounge again, taking another quick look inside, this time stopping at the entrance.}
Hysoka: ...huh.
[Back inside.]
[Memories flash visibly again. With Cobalt's words, Gray remembers <???>. He remembers it toying with him, with his friends, and with his ship. He then remembers it chasing the ship throughout the galaxy. Gray is filled with rage, but then he hears Flare's words. Memories flash, showing each of the people he would die to protect: his crew. The lightning intensifies drastically, Gray finding strength in his motivation to defend them.]
[Cobalt nods with maniacal laughter, taking the brunt of the lightning. Flare becomes increasingly worried; Cobalt was relishing in the intense arcing psionic energy, and his manifestation glitched again. Seeing the images of the crew, however, makes Flare relieved insofar as to know Gray is taking her advice to heart.]
[Gray leaps forward. The lightning suddenly stops as Gray teleports again. He ends up in front of Cobalt, retaining his momentum. He slams into Cobalt and teleports away.]
[Cobalt recoils.]
Cobalt: BWAHAHAHA! THAT'S THE SPIRIT! Now, do it again!
[A pulse of darkness surges through his body.]
Flare: Uh, maybe we should call it a day th-
Cobalt: NO! This doesn't end until I see what he's really made of!
[Gray steps forward, but hesitates when he notices the darkness.]
Gray: Cδbαlτ? Flαrε mighτ hαvε τhε righτ idεα...
[Cobalt stomps the ground fiercely, sending cracks through the very fabric of the mindscape. His head twitches as he continues to laugh maniacally.]
Cobalt: HIT. ME. AGAIN.
Flare: Cobalt, I'm stopping this, right now. I- agh!
[A blackened tentacle of corruption lashes out from Cobalt's body, sending Flare's manifestation flying. Cobalt makes a growling sound, turning his attention back to Gray. His voice becomes distorted.]
Cobalt: Use your hate, strike me with every last ounce of strength you have in you. I dare you.
[Ignoring Cobalt for now, Gray teleports and catches Flare.]
Gray: Flαrε, αrε yδμ δκαy?
Flare: Yes, I'm fine... but this has gone too far. I'm sorry you have to witness this, it wasn't-
[A dark looming shadow appears behind the pair, Cobalt's form now tightly wrapped in oozing corruption.]
Cobalt: "It wasn't supposed to happen", and yet, it did. His will is weak, Flare, and you know it... and yet, you continue to put him in situations such as these. You are pathetic.
[Several tentacles reach out, wrapping Gray and Flare in their dark clutches. The corruption tore at their souls, but Flare only closed her eyes and whispered to herself.]
Flare: ...I'm sorry Cobalt, but this is the only way.
[She focused, a fiery burst of brilliant light pulsing from her body. The purity of her light dissolved the tentacles that restrained the pair, pushing into the writhing black mess that encapsulated Cobalt's manifestation. An ear-shattering scream emanated from the corrupted Crystallid as the outermost corruption was forcibly cleansed, pushing the darkness back into his manifestation once more. When she opened her eyes, Cobalt could only just about say, "I'm sorry..." before his manifestation disappeared. Back in the Lounge, Cobalt collapsed, remaining unconscious.]
Emerald: Cobalt! What... what happened? Are you ok? Oh no... this isn't good. Prismatic!
{Hysoka sees Cobalt collapse and finally snaps out of it, walking in to see what is happening.}
Hysoka: Cobalt? Oh dear...
{He focused on Cobalt, not even greeting anyone else.}
Gray: Flαrε, ψhατ did yδμ dδ?
[Flare sighs.]
Flare: The only thing I can do... I've suppressed the corruption, for now, and stopped it from infecting your mindscape. He will be alright, with time.
[She pauses.]
Flare: This was my fault. I knew this was a possibility, but I still tell myself he can break free from the corruption. I was stupid for believing that... Anyway, I think that's enough for today. At the very least, I hope we have been able to give you some insight into your abilities.
Gray: Cδrrμρτiδη? Hδψ did iτ fδrm?
Flare: It's a long story...
[She reaches into her manifestation, pulling out some glowing balls of light that formed into memories, images. They showed a large blue fragment.]
Flare: We recovered an anomalous object from a crashed vessel, numerous eras ago. It originated from an earlier human civilization who combated the Creeper in their struggle for survival. We brought the object and its container back for study, when Cobalt touched the object. It appeared that this was a fragment of the core of a Creeper Nexus, destroyed by the humans.
[Images flash up of Cobalt's contact with the object, and the aftermath.]
Flare: Each Nexus is filled with a hate for the universe, for existence itself, in order for it to better propagate the Creeper it controls. This residual hate latched onto Cobalt's soul, turning into a corruption that clung to him like a tumour. It infected his mind, and all I could do was suppress it enough to stop it from claiming him entirely.
[The images dissolve back into the balls of light.]
Flare: Crystallid souls are uniquely different than those of organic races. We are much more in tune with our minds, our emotions, our memories... and hate is the most deadly emotion a Crystallid can harbour. It gives us great power, but corrupts us terribly... and the hate that came from the Nexus fragment has done exactly that. Cobalt is incredibly powerful, but he pays dearly for using his full strength.
Gray: I... I'm sδrry yδμ hαd τδ dεαl ψiτh τhατ. If τhεrε's αηyτhiηg I cαη dδ τδ hεlρ, αηyτhiηg ατ αll, I'll bε τhεrε.
[Flare nods sadly.]
Flare: Thank you, Gray.
[She suddenly begins hearing the panicked calling from Emerald.]
Flare: I think we should return.
[Her manifestation disappears, and she regains control over her body.]
{Hysoka turns to see Emerald.}
Hysoka: greetings? Uhh.. what happened with Cobalt?
{He is worried, but at the same time appears to be unnussually indifferent.}
[Gray wakes, inhaling sharply.]
Hysoka: oh? Gray?
[Gray turns.]
Gray: Hello, Hysoka.
[Flare turns to look at Emerald and Hysoka, not at all surprised by Cobalt's unconscious form.]
Flare: Do not worry, this is only temporary. He will come around soon.
Emerald: So he's going to be alright?
[Flare nods, allowing the panicking youngling to calm down somewhat.]
Hysoka: greetings Gray. You were in a shared mindscape, Im guessing.
{He was worried, but again, coming off as a bit indifferent.}
Gray: We were. Cobalt and Flare were helping me. Let's just keep it at "something happened."
Hysoka: ok...?
{He confusedly shrugged.}
Cobalt: Urgh....
[He opens his eyes, seeing a bunch of people standing over him.]
Cobalt: ...fantastic...
Gray: Are you okay, Cobalt?
Hysoka: huh. You are... alive.
{He came off as indifferent again.}
Gray: That's kind of harsh, Hysoka.
Cobalt: ...other than the mighty headache, I don't feel very okay... I feel like sh-
[Flare suddenly hauls Cobalt to his feet.]
Flare: Perhaps we shouldn't do that again, at least for a little while.
Cobalt: ...agreed.
Flare: Emerald, can you help Cobalt back to the Starfire?
Emerald: Of course!
[Cobalt and Emerald leave the lounge.]
Hysoka: was it..? Okay.... Im sorry....
[Flare turns to Hysoka and Gray.]
Flare: I do apologize for all that. I didn't want to bring our problems with us, but I guess some you can never escape. So Gray, how did you feel about what you've accomplished today?
Hysoka: problems? Its ok Flare... Im used to em...
{He said, looking down, eyes of unamusement.}
Gray: I feel pretty confident, actually. Makes me feel like I can help, even if only temporarily.
{Hysoka stays silent, looking down.}
Flare: That's good. I'm sure you will be able to do a great job, helping those in need when necessary.
[She glances at Hysoka.]
Flare: Because I feel there are still some in need of help.
Hysoka: heh... yeah...
{He didnt quite hear what Flare said.}
[Gray follows Flare's glance.]
Gray: ...Right. Well--
[Enodus walks into the Lounge.]
Enodus: I'm pretty sure every psionic being in the system could feel what just happened.
Hysoka: maybe...
{He didnt quite hear what Enodus said.}
Flare: Ah, hello Enodus. It was unfortunate and wasn't supposed to happen...
[The distorted voice of Cobalt saying that line still echoed in her mind.]
Hysoka: heheh...
{He started laughing at nothing after Flare said that.}
[Gray stays silent.]
Enodus: I could tell. Now: you wanted to know what happened to me, right?
{Hysoka stays silent, motionless, standing, staring down at nothing.}
Flare: Ah, yes, of course. It was a significant outburst, from what I could tell.
Enodus: I'd like to show you.
[Enodus creates a mindscape and opens it up to Flare. It's up to her to enter it.]
[Within moments, she manifests within.]
{Hysoka can somehow feel their connection.}
Hysoka: ohh yeahh... [I became psionic somehow...]
{He said, that last part mumbled. He is considering entering the mindscape..}
[Enodus has already manifested the memory. It shows the fight with the Collective.]
Enodus: We had investigated an energy signature and found a "hive" of sorts, comprised of sapient, self-replicating spacecrafts. The Hydraxil Collective attacked us.
Flare: I saw images in Gray's mindscape of the battle as well. There was something big there too.
Enodus: Yes. It nearly killed all of us.
[The memory shows Gray shooting <???> in the eye with a damaged SDN beam, then fast forwards to the Endurance jumping out of the system with it giving chase. The memory continues, and the Endurance jumps through system after system.]
Flare: I was afraid of this. That thing... it is called the "Prime Construct", an AI with a superiority complex that just so happens to be controlling the Collective. I have encountered it before...
Enodus: This 'Prime Construct' chased us throughout the galaxy, appearing wherever we jumped. Eventually, we found a way out of that mess.
[The memory shows the Endurance jumping back into the system the fight was in.]
Enodus: The Explorer of Stars hit us with some form of energy weapon that supercharged our reactor.
[The memory shows this, then zooms out to the Entanglement Drive. The Drive can be seen venting the energy, creating anomalies.]
Enodus: It vented all the excess energy at once, and I felt... something... happen from that. I felt power like nothing else before, and I used it against the Construct the best way I knew.
[The memory shows Enodus using his newfound strength to hurt the PC, forcing it into another system.]
Flare: And it is that which I felt. I fear that by doing so, you may have painted a target on your back. The Prime Construct seems to relish challenging the strongest opponents it can find... including myself. We just about managed to escape, but not before it... it... it doesn't matter.
Enodus: It's more than likely. I just hope we can survive long enough to do something about this mess...
{Hysoka gains a risky idea out of boredom.}
{He just stays there, motionless, like he has been since entering the room, and starts spying on Flare and Enodus within the mindscape, not manifesting, just... listening.}
Flare: I hope so too, Enodus.
Enodus: Perhaps we could find a way to strike the Construct down.
Flare: Perhaps... but for now, we need to focus on uniting the factions. Together, we will be able to bring down the Prime Construct and the Collective.

[close]